Victoria Premier proposes dog-friendly pubs and extended trading hours

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has announced a suite of hospitality reforms as part of a pre-election pitch aimed at boosting the state’s night-time economy. If the Labor government is re-elected in November, the proposal includes allowing pubs to automatically trade until 3:00 am without the current requirement to apply for extensions beyond 1:00 am.

The reforms also seek to amend a 1984 law that currently prohibits dogs from indoor areas of premises where food is served. Under the new plan, venue owners would have the discretion to decide whether to allow dogs inside.

Local business owners, such as Neil Spark of the Rose Hotel in Fitzroy, have supported the move. Spark previously launched a petition to overturn the existing ban, which garnered approximately 25,000 signatures after council officers enforced the rule earlier this year.