Mrs Lewis said she went to buy a couple of bottles of wine after buying her groceries, but a security guard at the bottle-shop stopped her because her daughter Alecia was under 18.
A spokeswoman for Coles said licensing conditions had been put in place at the store by the Director of Liquor Licensing.
The Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor’s spokesman said under the Act, juveniles were allowed on licensed premises as long as they were accompanied by a parent/guardian, unless otherwise stated on the particular licence.
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READ NOWHe said the prohibition on juveniles at Belmont Forum’s Liquorland began on June 23 after an application by police under section 64 of the Liquor Control Act.
The WA Police Commissioner’s office did not comment further because an appeal was underway, but the Southern Gazette understands these changes to licensing conditions affect just two WA liquor stores.
Mandurah Forum Liquorland has also prohibited juveniles. WA Police Licensing Enforcement Division Superintendent Jim Migro said police made an application in March for a condition to be placed on the Mandurah bottleshop due to a high incidence of stealing offences.
Belmont Forum Liquorland confirmed it had its own security guard and signs restricting access to juveniles even if accompanied by an adult.
“I thought maybe a cut-off for a 12-year-old or something would be fair but Alecia is 18 months ” what is she going to steal?” Mrs Lewis said.
“I didn’t bother getting the wine. You couldn’t leave her in the car or outside the store.”