Outback pub ordered to pay back cash it made while flouting pandemic-era liquor restrictions

In a decision issued by the State Administrative Tribunal this month, the company and its director were fined a total of $9000 over the conduct.

“The respondents have demonstrated insight into their conduct by paying the earlier infringement notices and pleading guilty to the charges in the magistrates court and in this matter by agreeing that disciplinary action ought to be taken against them,” the decision found.

In a separate decision, the Director of Liquor Licensing ordered the business to pay back about $25,000 it estimated it had received as a financial advantage during the alleged contraventions of the restrictions. The Director of Liquor Licensing said the money should be paid back to the Crown within four months, and the company agreed.

The decision follows a long saga for the Derby establishments, which successfully appealed a decision by the Liquor Commission to fine them $140,000 for “numerous and repeated” breaches of the Liquor Control Act in May last year.

That decision was ultimately overturned by the WA Supreme Court on appeal, after the court found the two pubs had been denied appropriate procedural fairness, and sent the matter back to the Liquor Commission to deal with.