Liquor Bill faces challenges in the Upper House

Whilst the longer serving Independents in the Upper House have often called on the State Government to show backbone and stand up to the influence of political donations, now that the Iemma Govt. has done so in preparing new and more competitive liquor legislation does not mean the Liquor Bill will be in for an easy ride through the NSW Legislative Council.

The Greens have taken a strong stand against the influence of the Australian Hotels Association with their democracy4sale website (where one can track the donations by year to particular parties), but are no pushover, with new talent Dr John Kaye MLC paying particular attention to the forthcoming Bill.

Reverend the Hon.Fred Nile was quick off the mark last Wednesday asking first a question of  NSW I.R. Maestro John Della Bosca on the new Bill before placing a second statement on the public record.

It is interesting to note that having pot shotted the highly rated, brilliant, and no nonsense Democrat Dr Arthur Chesterfield Evans in the last election, the recently doubled in size Shooters Party are on the record as saying gun clubs are safer than hotels.

The Minister of Gaming and Racing will be working hard to convince the Cross Benchers in the Upper House that the application process under the new Casino, Liquor and Gaming  Control Authority can stand up to the type of analysis these Members will bring to bear once the Bill makes it to the Legislative Council.