The Australian Hotel in Young has found itself in trouble with the state’s alcohol regulator. Photo: Flickr/Jan Smith.
The owner of the Australian Hotel in Young has been sanctioned by the state’s regulator after it was found minors consumed alcohol on the premises on 2 May.
According to a decision published by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), this offence meant the pub’s licensee, Jamie Canellis, was handed two demerit points.
The ILGA demerit point system is similar to the one for licensed drivers – venue owners receive them for breaches and the points expire after three years.
For gaining two demerit points, the ILGA ruled that Mr Canellis must undergo advanced licensee training by 12 January 2026.
Furthermore, the pub’s staff are required to undertake a refresher responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training course by the same date.
Before deciding on this remedial action, the ILGA received submissions from NSW Police and Kent McRae Lawyers, who acted for Mr Canellis.
“The legal representative notes that on the night of the offence, underage patrons were found in the gaming room by staff and when they were unable to provide proof of age, they were removed from the hotel immediately,” ILGA chair Jeff Loy said in his decision, which was published on Monday (10 November).
“Further, the minors who were observed consuming alcohol were not served alcohol by hotel staff but were supplied with alcohol by other patrons.”
The lawyers noted Mr Canellis had worked at and managed licensed premises for more than 25 years and this was his first incident involving remedial action to date. The publican did not object to the remedial action taken and has already undertaken the required advanced licensee training.
The Australian Hotel is now considering employing additional staff and security personnel when increased patron numbers are anticipated and a policy of banning any underage person who unlawfully consumes alcohol on the premises for six months from the date of their 18th birthday.
NSW Police acknowledged that Mr Canellis had demonstrated cooperation with its officers and a proactive approach to compliance since the incident.
Police stated they were satisfied with the improvements made to date at the hotel, including increased identification checks for young patrons and increased security presence on Friday and Saturday nights.
Police supported the proposed remedial action, however suggested that to further ensure compliance, the ILGA should consider imposing a condition requiring a minimum of two licensed security personnel on Friday and Saturday nights.
Mr Canellis’ lawyers objected to this condition, saying it would require the pub to source staff from Wagga, which is two hours away. The ILGA chose not to impose this condition.
Mr Loy considered the pub’s history in making the decision. He noted that in November 2023, a complaint alleged that Mr Canellis had been involved in a physical altercation with a patron. Police attended the hotel, which resulted in a patron being tasered.
He also wrote that Mr Canellis had been the licensee of the pub since 27 September 2016.
Anyone wanting a review of this ILGA can make an application (for a fee) to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal before the end of November.
