RSA -Venues always to blame despite ruling, says licensee group

RSA - Pubs and clubs will always get the blame for alcohol fuelled incidents despite the High Court ruling publicans have no general duty of care to protect drunken patrons, says a Surfers Paradise licensee.

Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association boss Lino Girardi said licensed venues were always first to have the finger pointed at them if there was an accident or attack resulting from alcohol consumption in the Surfers precinct.

On Monday, the High Court overturned a Supreme Court ruling in Tasmania that found a pub and its licensee had failed in its duty of care, leading to the death of a customer in 2002.

The case involved a publican who returned motorcycle keys to a drunken patron, who then died in a crash.

The court ruled the safety of patrons was the responsibility of the individual and not the licensee.

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