Australian Hotels Association

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Liking small bars doesn’t make you a tosser

15 Jun 05:50am

Filed under: Aha, Alcohol, Australian Hotels Association, Drinking, Pubs

The campaign by the Australian Hotels Association against small bars is a classic example of commercial self-interest dressed up as community high-mindedness.

AHA: Show us the Manet.

In essence, the organisation that has a vested interest in plying us all with liquor is arguing that licensed establishments are now at a premium. This closed-shop mentality is affecting the quality of life for those Australian cities where drinking options are confined to the traditional pub or club alternatives.

It is kind of amazing that a city such as Melbourne, a cold windswept town unblessed by natural beauty, has transformed itself into an excellent place to be courtesy of a vibrant bar and restaurant culture. Yet other Australian cities which are trying to adopt similar policies are being held back, principally by the self-interest and influence of the AHA.

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David says:

02:41pm | 19/06/12

Sydney used to be devoid of small bars with character. Now since the new licence laws came in I could name at least 60 scattered around the city and surrounding suburbs. It has made a huge difference to Sydney’s drinking culture for the better. A lot of them are hidden… Read more »
Suburb dweller says:

03:08pm | 18/06/12

There’s more to “Adelaide” than the CBD. In outer suburbia the"pubs” are large pokie-infested hotels many kms apart. If small bars were allowed some would no doubt be opened along the coast (eg in the disastrous development on the corner of Christies and the Esplanade which is still devoid of… Read more »

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Your local gaming room, now a handy creche

by Rachel Corbett

30 Jul 05:45am

Filed under: Australian Hotels Association, Children, Gambling, Pokies, Society

20 comments

Just when you thought that funnelling your hard earned cash into a soulless machine in the darkest reaches of a hotel couldn’t get anymore depressing, it turns out now your kids can watch.

Now a fun place for all the family. Picture: Brad Newman.

Disturbingly, The Pink Hill Hotel in Beaconsfield has been given permission to build a children’s playroom enclosed with soundproof glass so that parents can keep an eye on their children from the gaming room. Fabulous!

Now the whole family can revel in the joys of daddy getting 3 pyramids in a row on the Queen of the Nile.

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icons downloads says:

07:57am | 06/11/12

[url=“http://europe.wp8design.com/r/photographic-images-by-d8”> It is interesting. Prompt, where I can read about it?</a> <a ]photographic images by[/url] Read more »
Harquebus says:

09:19pm | 31/07/10

I doubt if the morons who are stupid enough to put money into those bandits would bother reading ThePunch. Poker machines should be banned outright. They support very few jobs. Years ago, I overheard a hotelier saying, “Little old ladies love these poker machines and we love the little old… Read more »

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Pubs’ attack on charity is a dry old argument

by Tracey Spicer

14 Jul 12:16am

Filed under: Alcohol, Australian Hotels Association, Dry July

11 comments

I enjoy a drink as much as the next person. Unless that next person happens to be Fiona O’Loughlin. Or Andrew Symonds.

Mangoes - a well known cause of social decay.

But the Australian Hotels Association’s opposition to a cancer fundraiser is just plain wrong.

Three blokes who’ve lost loved ones to cancer have started Dry July to raise money for Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital.

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hellonathan says:

07:54am | 30/07/09

No Jam January - Get people back on to Vegemite rather than those sickly sweet sugar spreads. No Farts February - I could get a break from Stefan my coworker. No Augie March March - give our ears a break No Arsehole April - We wouldn’t have to hear from… Read more »
James says:

05:46pm | 14/07/09

Hey Stephen - you wouldn’t be doing spin for the AHA would you…? Read more »

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They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]

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