But what the venues say they really want are cuts to the alcohol excise.
The election promises also include giving pubs across the state a licence to trade until 3am, slashing the time frames for liquor licence application decisions and creating a dedicated planning pathway to fast-track minor renovations.
Callaghan Hospitality Group business development manager Stuart Addicott said while he didn’t think the extended opening hours would affect the group’s operations, he was happy with several of the proposed changes.
“Cutting red tape is always a good thing,” Mr Addicott said.
“So is letting venue owners make their own rules about dogs, it’s a no-brainer.”
“I’d like to see some details on how these policies will work in practice, and, to be honest, I think a lot of venue owners would prefer a cut to the beer excise.”
Australia’s alcohol excise is managed at a federal level, but Victorian Labor’s focus on pub policies may inspire their national counterparts to re-examine the controversial tax.
The Victorian state election will be held on November 28.
