From the President

Need for Certainty

DAVID BASHEER – AHA|SA PRESIDENT

LICENSING WARS

Last year the AHA|SA spent almost $40,000 on legal costs, close to 10 times the previous year.

With the new Licensing Act in its first full year in 2020, the AHA|SA Council made the bold decision to protect members businesses and hotel valuations by engaging in potential test cases, principally involving packaged liquor.

This is an issue that effects a huge cross section of our membership, both large and small, metro and regional.

Our office possesses an impressive arsenal of legal knowledge but due to the nature of the cases, external advice was necessary. First we had to blunt Aldi’s ambitions to circumvent the law to sell their own home brands, and now to deal with the extensive ambitions of the chains.

The new licensing Act absorbed a significant amount of time and resources as we sought to ensure its interpretation did not threaten the long term viability of our industry. With so many test cases, there is a strong belief that judgements made today will have long term impacts on the future direction of licensing in South Australia.

Along with preparation for a proposed Government review into the expansion of small bars into the suburbs and the late-night code, licensing looms as a key issue for the AHA|SA in the second half of this year.

SHUTDOWN UNCERTAINTY

We have seen it all before. The WA Government shut down a city of two million people over two COVID-19 cases. Even worse, when the economy reopened, the pubs could only have 20 people in their venues.

Hospitality continues to carry a disproportionate burden every time there is a COVID-19 scare. Every mainland State has learnt this the hard way. It is why the AHA|SA late last year commissioned a study by the University of Adelaide’s SA Centre of Economic studies into the financial consequences of the snap November lockdown. This report was sent to all politicians and key COVID-19 decision makers.

The independent study reported a $100m statewide loss in revenue, a 79% fall in employment during the period and a $7 to $10 million wastage of perishables. Those findings were widely reported in the media, both locally and nationally. This study provides the AHA|SA with independent economic data as a reference point, citing a respected voice and fact-based evidence of the disaster reaped by these snap lockdowns.

Any fair-minded person would have to concede that if a business is so heavily affected by forced public health declarations that occur with no warning, then affected venues must be compensated.

Governments will say it is too costly. Perhaps if they had to partner in the financial burden, these snap lockdowns may not be so widespread.

MENTAL HEALTH HELP

The AHA|SA secured a substantial grant from sponsor EML for resources and initiatives to support SA hotels and their employees to assist with their recovery from COVID-19 mental health and wellbeing challenges.

This includes six podcasts covering topics of resilience, wellbeing, stress management, dealing with customers, emotional intelligence and coping with change.

The programme also involves:

• Workshops of two hours duration delivered via a combination of face-to-face and online forums.

• A separate service targeting those employed in management roles looking at the psychology of leadership and the building of high performing teams.

• This fully funded programme will be further supported by networking events and a mental health and wellbeing app.

This is an important initiative by the AHA|SA to recognise that the effects of COVID-19 have not merely been financial, and that the mental health fallout on our people and their families has been significant.

VOUCHER NEWS WELCOME

We welcome the recently announced Stage 4 accommodation voucher system, providing $100 discounts at CBD venues and $50 for the metropolitan areas and regions.

The Premier should be commended in continuing his commitment to this sector, particularly with the winter months approaching.

The previous voucher phases have seen occupancy levels return closer to pre-COVID-19 numbers. Many of our accommodation hotels, particularly in the CBD are facing a long haul to recovery, and these voucher schemes are a recognition by Government that that sector of our industry has carried the heaviest burden.

WORTHY RECOGNITION

This edition carries feature stories on some iconic names in SA hotels.

It recognises Rick Lovell’s retirement from Council and as Secretary/ Treasurer after 30 years. Rick has provided the AHA|SA with stability, financial certainty and an incredible depth of professional knowledge in a remarkable contribution to our Association.

This edition also highlights two new life memberships awarded at the AGM for Guy Matthews and posthumously for Tony Matthews.

The AHA|SA does not give out life membership loosely. In 150 years, we have awarded life membership to only 30 people. Both Guy and Tony are highly regarded in the industry and have made a substantial contribution to our sector.

To Tony’s family, and Guy and his family, congratulations on such a well-deserved recognition.