1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,400 Speaker 1: It is just on a quarter past ten eight nine 2 00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:04,640 Speaker 1: four one one four nine is the number if you'd 3 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: like to call through. Now we know that she was 4 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:10,319 Speaker 1: announced yesterday that corner stores that sell alcohol will now 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: have the chance to ask the Northern Territory government to 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:16,439 Speaker 1: buy back their liquor license. The new scheme is going 7 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: to give operators four weeks to express interest in doing so, 8 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:23,320 Speaker 1: in what the government says is a bid to reduce 9 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,440 Speaker 1: the number of takeaway out let's across the territory and 10 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:29,720 Speaker 1: alcohol related harm. Now joining me on the line to 11 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 1: tell us a little bit more about the situation from 12 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: her perspective is Shelley Lay, who is indeed the zicicoli 13 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 1: IgA owner. Good morning to you, Shelley. 14 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:41,800 Speaker 2: Hi Katie, how are you not too bad? 15 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:44,520 Speaker 1: Shelly? What was your reaction to this announcement? 16 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 2: I guess it was a bit of a shock to 17 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 2: hear that. Yesterday. We didn't know that that was on 18 00:00:54,920 --> 00:01:02,280 Speaker 2: the table, So yeah, it's I guess it's another way 19 00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 2: that we're being penalized, not only with the twenty five 20 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 2: percent rule, but now i'll try to take us totally 21 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 2: out of the market, and I. 22 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:17,840 Speaker 1: Suppose it'll come down to your decision whether you wanted to, 23 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 1: you know, to go through the buyback scheme or not. 24 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 1: But it would be a hard decision to actually go 25 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 1: through something like that for you guys, I'm assuming because 26 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 1: you've you've literally got, you know, a section of the 27 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:33,400 Speaker 1: shop that has been set up to be able to 28 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 1: sell alcohol there, and knowing that it's you know that 29 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: it was the twenty five percent rule. I know that 30 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 1: those boundaries have changed as well, but it would be 31 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 1: a hard decision then to make to say, all right, 32 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 1: we're no longer going to sell alcohol. 33 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 2: I think it is a very hard decision, and I 34 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 2: think for people who may even be interested in this decision, 35 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 2: it's hard for them not knowing what the buyback possibly 36 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 2: could be. And I know I've had a conversations with 37 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 2: people saying how much do you think it is? And 38 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 2: maybe if it was disclosed how much it was, then 39 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:13,520 Speaker 2: there may be more people who are interested. I mean, 40 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:17,160 Speaker 2: you just don't know it's been put out there. But 41 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:21,520 Speaker 2: people may be interested but are not going to put 42 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 2: their hand up because they're not sure. 43 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, how would it sort of work, do you think? 44 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 1: And how could it be viable? 45 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 2: I don't know. I guess they'd probably be looking at 46 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:38,520 Speaker 2: some type of formula to figure out the value of 47 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:42,799 Speaker 2: the alcohol or the profits that is potentially made from 48 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 2: the sales of the alcohol. And I think like the 49 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 2: Malax supermarket owner was talking to I've heard him on 50 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 2: the radio earlier saying, there's the good will there, and 51 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:55,640 Speaker 2: there's also the value that having that convenience offering under 52 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:59,240 Speaker 2: your roof brings to your grocery sales. And when you 53 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:02,399 Speaker 2: don't have that convenience offering, people don't come and buy 54 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 2: the groceries anymore. And that's probably the biggest side to it. 55 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: And Shelley, I mean, is that what is that something 56 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: that you know that would be an unintended consequence I guess, 57 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:14,239 Speaker 1: or a consequence for you. 58 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:21,320 Speaker 2: Guys totally and for us. I'm not willing to take 59 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 2: that gamble. I'm already experiencing lots of sales this week 60 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 2: from the liquor store not being there. Mind you, I 61 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 2: have been very heartwarmed by all the locals who are 62 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 2: coming in to buy their groceries and actually saying we 63 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:38,280 Speaker 2: are here to support you. So that's been wonderful. But 64 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:41,240 Speaker 2: still with that, you see people that come to the 65 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 2: bottle shop and then they just turn around and walk out. 66 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 2: They're annoyed and they don't want to be giving their 67 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 2: business elsewhere, but they've been forced to. 68 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: So, Shelley, is this buyback something that you guys would consider? 69 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:00,200 Speaker 2: Not really, Katie, it doesn't work in with our model. Yes, 70 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 2: and we've always said that that it's a convenience offering 71 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 2: that we have there, and that's why we have our customers. 72 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 2: They're busy, they're on their way home from work, and 73 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 2: they want to stop at their local and support local. 74 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 1: We had the discussion throughout the week that was on 75 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 1: this topic and the treasurer Evil Laula had said that, 76 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 1: you know, sometimes what we see is that when there 77 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,839 Speaker 1: are corner stores, for example, that are selling takeaway alcohol, 78 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,480 Speaker 1: that you do have people kind of congregating around that area. 79 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 1: Is that something that you guys have experienced. 80 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 2: Definitely not. We don't experience that at all. And if 81 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:45,040 Speaker 2: there are some bottle shops that are experiencing that, if 82 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:48,840 Speaker 2: they weren't selling alcohol at that particular location, where do 83 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:51,839 Speaker 2: you think they're going to congregate next at the next 84 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 2: bottle shop? Would be my guest, and we keep saying this, 85 00:04:57,040 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 2: if it's not available at my shop, it's going to 86 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:02,240 Speaker 2: be it is available at the shop up the road. 87 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 2: And last week's example of Bubus being closed is a 88 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 2: prime example of US customers not able to go to 89 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 2: b Wus then they come to our store. And that 90 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:18,919 Speaker 2: is why I am in this twenty five percent predicament 91 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:21,720 Speaker 2: in the first place, because people just go to the 92 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:22,839 Speaker 2: outlets that's open. 93 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, right, And look, I'm not surprised by that. I 94 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 1: think to myself, you know, if people want to get 95 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: their hands on alcohol, whether it's for a social drink 96 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:34,839 Speaker 1: or whether it's to overindulge in. You know, in some 97 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 1: situations like we've seen around the Northern Territory, they're going 98 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,480 Speaker 1: to get their hands on alcohol no matter what you 99 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 1: would suspect. 100 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 2: Well, they certainly are. And what's happening here is we 101 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 2: are being made out to be the bad guy and 102 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 2: it's intrimental to our business and our staff and we 103 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:58,720 Speaker 2: are very, very worried about what the intention here is 104 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:01,280 Speaker 2: with the voluntary buy that is the next thing, a 105 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 2: forced buyback, because the words are grocery liquor store licenses, 106 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 2: so were the small businesses are clearly being targeted here. 107 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:14,839 Speaker 1: Shelley, have you spoken to the other IDAs. What's the 108 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 1: you know, what is sort of the consensus I guess 109 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 1: from you guys at this point in time. 110 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:24,480 Speaker 2: None of us agree with the Cats, and I'm not 111 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 2: sure about their views on the buyback. It will be 112 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 2: a very personal choice and everyone's situation is different. Some 113 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:37,360 Speaker 2: people are at the end of their career and could 114 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 2: be looking at potentially selling their stores, so this may 115 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:42,840 Speaker 2: be a good option for them, but it will come 116 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 2: down to the dollar figure of course, for these businesses. 117 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 1: Shelley, do you sort of question, like when something like 118 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 1: this is announced and whether people agree with it or 119 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 1: they disagree with it, But do you sort of question 120 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:56,160 Speaker 1: and think to yourself, well, if the band drinker is 121 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:58,359 Speaker 1: register and the other measures that we have in place 122 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:01,840 Speaker 1: are working, why do they need to go down this path? Oh? 123 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 2: Totally, And that is one of my big arguments. That 124 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 2: we are selling alcohol only to people who are not 125 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 2: on the band drinkers registered, who have a responsible place 126 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 2: to drink their takeaway alcohol, but we're then still going 127 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 2: over the twenty five percent cap. So this model does 128 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 2: not work and it does not keep small business alive 129 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 2: in the territory. 130 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:25,880 Speaker 1: And Shelley, what do you say to anybody that's listening 131 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:28,280 Speaker 1: this morning, that's you know that's listening and they're thinking 132 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 1: to themselves, well, you know, you shouldn't be able to 133 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 1: buy alcohol at the corner store, and we have got 134 00:07:34,040 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 1: too many outlets across the territory. 135 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:43,960 Speaker 2: You can buy alcohol anywhere, well, at any liquor store 136 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 2: that sells it. So whether it's at the corner store 137 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 2: or it's right next to a major supermarket. People, while 138 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:53,800 Speaker 2: its is a legal product and available, people will gain 139 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:58,760 Speaker 2: access to it wherever they can. And another thing that 140 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 2: they can do is they just steal for it anyway. 141 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 2: And we were paying four thousand dollars a week at 142 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 2: the seal for our dogs. But we will get fined, 143 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 2: and so people to protect people from stealing it, but 144 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 2: we can't sell it, so we thought it we'd get fined, 145 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 2: but you could come and take it and get away 146 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 2: with it. Off topic, but I think it's under a 147 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 2: lot of pressure at the moment, and I'm really worried 148 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 2: about our business, about my employees them losing their jobs, 149 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:34,319 Speaker 2: their hours, and not to mention the other smaller operators 150 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 2: that are in our center. There's a bigger picture here 151 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 2: and we need to be heard because this is detrimental 152 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 2: to the small business or small businesses in the territory. 153 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: And Shelley, what impact do you think that it's going 154 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 1: to have when it comes to competition. 155 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:53,320 Speaker 2: But that's another great question, Katie, thanks for leading that 156 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:56,760 Speaker 2: sub This is very much anti competitive because if you 157 00:08:56,840 --> 00:09:01,959 Speaker 2: take out all the small players, there's a monopoly and 158 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:06,000 Speaker 2: it's just it's all the big guys who will be 159 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:08,880 Speaker 2: able to price how they like because there will be 160 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 2: no independence, And to be honest, I can't imagine that 161 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:17,720 Speaker 2: the big players would agree with having an monopoly based 162 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 2: on their value. 163 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 1: Well, Shelley, Lay you've given us a bit more food 164 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: for thought, I think, and we are going to talk 165 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 1: more about this. We're going to catch up with another 166 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:29,720 Speaker 1: corner store owner very shortly, so I really appreciate you 167 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 1: having a chat with me again this morning. 168 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:35,960 Speaker 2: No one seems to be regular at the moment, it does. 169 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:38,640 Speaker 1: Shelley, thank you. Have a good weekend. 170 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:41,680 Speaker 2: Thanks Katie, you too, Bye bye now.