Manly joins small bars push as Raise the bar appear outside Parliament.
Manly's Mayor, Peter Macdonald, has backed the liquor licensing
reform campaign of the Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, which is aimed at
encouraging a proliferation of smaller laneway bars.
"If there are additional licenses but they are on small venues with a different clientele, then that's not increasing the alcohol culture; it is modifying it."
He pointed to research that showed an increase in the number of
licensed establishments in Melbourne had not resulted in an increase in
alcohol consumption. Cr Moore welcomed Manly's support, saying she
hoped her bill would be voted on "in coming weeks".
An activist group campaigning for liquor licensing reform, Raise the
Bar, will today hold a demonstration at Parliament House, where
protesters are encouraged to drink a glass of chardonnay and read a
book.