Dimitri Argeres, Director of Regulatory Operations at Liquor and Gaming NSW, emphasized that the behavior of the venue’s staff significantly endangered the patron’s safety, underscoring it as the licensee’s responsibility.

“Licensees and venue managers must ensure their staff are properly trained and that procedures are established for the responsible service of alcohol,” Argeres stated.

He further highlighted, “The safety of a venue must be maintained, irrespective of whether the licensee is on the premises.”

Argeres concluded by noting, “Aside from contravening legal obligations, the hotel staff’s conduct in this case exposed the patron to severe risk, resulting in substantial injury.”

“Apart from breaking the law, the actions of hotel staff in this instance put the patron at risk of significant harm, which led to serious injury.

“As this case shows, venues that fail to abide by RSA requirements can expect to be caught and face significant consequences.”

The licensee has had their license revoked for one year.

The hotel’s liquor license has been transferred to a new licensee since the incident.