Term For Renewal Of Liquor License Extended

Businesses that sell liquor including hotels, bars and taverns can now extend the maximum term for the renewal of their liquor license from three years to five years.

This was after the Liquor Amendment Bill 2022 was passed in Parliament yesterday.

This amendment also allows for the exemption of payments of the prescribed fees, for businesses that did not operate as outlined in their license due to the difficulties faced during the COVID-19 restrictions.

The Bill also provides that where a person is exempted from payment of the prescribed fee, the license issued is valid for a maximum term of one year.

In his right of reply, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Opposition members had raised issues that the amendment would cause some form of unruly situation that people would be selling alcohol left, right and center.

“If they look at the amendments made, it does not alter anything under the Liquor Act,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“It does not alter the establishment of the central Liquor Board and its functions. It does not alter the divisional liquor licensing authorities where the commissioners are involved and people living in that division are actually members of the board.

“The requirements, as to how one can get a license, has not changed at all. Sir, all of that remains.  It sets out clearly on what basis licenses will be issued.

“I would like to highlight to the honorable members, that when the license is given, even if it’s for five years, there is nothing stopping the licensing authority from doing random checks.

“There is nothing stopping the authorities from getting complaints. We’ve had complaints, hotels were given licenses and started acting like brothels, they were closed down.”

He added that the amendment would greatly benefit businesses that suffered from COVID-19.

“We cannot pick and choose and what we are doing Mr. Speaker, sir, in this particular instance, the license already for three years will extend for five years, but as we show it, the gist of it was the exemption for those people who suffered because of COVID-19.”

While speaking in support of the Bill, Minister for Commerce Faiyaz Koya said the bill was in line with the FijiFirst Government’s vision to ease the administrative burden of doing business in Fiji.

He said the bill would provide relief to these businesses to recuperate and to be able to open their business without the upfront burden to pay for license renewal or arrears for the period they were not operating.

“That is what we need. This Government is here to support the private sector, we are leaving no business and no Fijians behind. It is a great deal for business survival and sustainability and for the restoration of livelihoods that are employed in the sector and the supply chain.”

Bill to amend Tobacco Control Act

Parliament yesterday also passed amendments that enable tobacco licensing to be extended to five years.

The amendments would ensure the exemption of the prescribed fees for a business that did not operate as outlined in the person’s license, due to difficulties faced as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

The amendment applies to manufacturers, importers or distributors of tobacco products or e-cigarettes.

The amendment also has a provision for a fee exemption for those who did not manufacture, import or distribute any tobacco product or e-cigarette, or sell or barter suki due to COVID-19 restrictions.

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