Publicans and other licence-holders

HOW strange to hear the publicans lambasting the Government for their loss of business. Even if the smoking ban is the only reason, the reality is that the Government continues to favour the publicans.

The number of licences is almost static since the foundation of the state. There was ample notice of the introduction of the ban. At least two ministers and various backbenchers supported the publicans in advance of it.

There are other licensees who were treated differently by the same Government when their business was deregulated overnight without notice or consultation. The number of licences has quadrupled in three-and-a-half years and it is the only private enterprise that has its prices fixed by the state.