23 December 2013   
Perth’s Hotel Plan

Perth’s old Fire and Emergency Services headquarters is making way for a new hotel. The 5-star Westin hotel will cost half a billion dollars to build and is a step towards solving the City’s bed shortage. 

28 November 2013   
Elizabeth Quay Hospitality Venues Announced

Your first look at how Elizabeth Quay will become Perth’s food capital.

29 September 2013   
Only 19 arrests in Freo after AFL loss

About 40,000 people packed the streets of Fremantle to watch the AFL grand final… 
Read the Full Article here.

27 September 2013 
Fremantle Grand Final Fever
ABC News 

Back in Fremantle the excitement of the Dockers playing in their first grand final in their 19 year history has continued to build and win or lose tomorrow ten’s of thousands of fans are expected to descend onto the city. View the full report here.

2 August 2013 
Tourism Trouble

Tourism in WA has taken a hit. There are fewer business travelers and hotel occupancy rates are down 13% compared to this time last year. Tourism Operators say that the low AUD should be luring international visitors, but the State Govt freeze on marketing has left WA struggling to sell itself.
View the full interview here.

31 July 2013 
Liquor Store Sting

WA Police investigation has found more than 70% of liquor stores aren’t asking young people for ID. Karl O’Callaghan wants to change the law so juveniles can be used on police stings at bottle shops.
View the full interview here.       

1 July 2013 
AHA’s Bradley Woods says proposed holiday booze ban ‘serves retail giants only’

WEST Australians don’t want nightclubs and bottle shops to open on religious holidays, according to hospitality boss Bradley Woods. Read the full online article here.    

19 June 2013 
End alcohol advertising in live sport: O’Callaghan

The AHA’s CEO, Bradley Woods, says the binge drinking problem stems from cultural and social issues, and it is wrong to blame the liquor industry. Read the full article here.        

19 June 2013
WA’s Coral Coast offers year-round fun in the sun

It is also where you will find the best steak sandwich in regional WA.
Southerlys Harbour View and Bar and Restaurant claimed that honour last month at the Hotel Association o f Australia’s WA award ceremony. Read the full article here.

30 May 2013
Restaurant Liquor Without Meal Policy 

West Australians will soon be able to have a drink at local restaurants without buying a meal; and the change to the alcohol regulations has been welcomed on both sides of the bar.

16 May 2013
WA’s Best Steak Sandwich Competition Metropolitan        

The Australian Hotels Association (WA) has announced The Merrywell as the winner of Perth’s Best Steak Sandwich for 2013.

Since The Merrywell at Crown Perth opened last year American chef Rob Ryan has won lots of fans with his relaxed menu of quality “dude food”.

Judges were ultimately won over by Merrywell Head Chef Rob Ryan’s Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich inspired version of the ‘Aussie’ Steak sandwich which replaced the steak with several layers of thinly sliced wagyu rump.

The Brook Bar and Bistro in Ellenbrook was awarded a close second place, only 1 point down from The Merrywell. 
WA’s Best Regional Steak Sandwich for 2013 was Southerly Harbour View Bar & Restaurant, Port Denison.

26 April 2013
ANZAC Day Sick Leave

It’s estimated up to 170,000 Australians are enjoying an unofficial ANZAC Day long weekend. Employer groups say many of those workers called in sick which cost the economy tens of millions of dollars.

8 April 2013  
Rooms vacant in WA’s north and south

PERTH Hotels might be doing well with high occupancy rates but some regional towns are continuing to struggle. 

New data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today showed occupancy rates for the state fell by 1.2 per cent in the December 2012 quarter when compared with 2011. It’s estimated up to 170,000 Australians are enjoying an unofficial ANAC Day long weekend. Employer groups say many of those workers called in sick which cost the economy tens of millions of dollars. Read the full article here

8 April 2013
Boom and room for WA hotels

City hotel are enjoying their near capacity rates but their country cousins are struggling, according to the latest statistics. 
The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that Perth central business district occupancy rates averages 83.4 per cent in December last year. 

Read the full article here

26 March 2013  
Police Submission to Liquor Control Act Review

WA Police have taken another step in their fight against alcohol related violence by proposing new measures such as stricter controls on take-away alcohol and on extended trading permits. Hotel lobby said the laws are already too tough and more restrictions will stifle investment in WA.  

26 February 2013
Payroll Tax Reform 

Mr Barnett and Mr McGowan. Over 70,000 small businesses in Western Australia deserve more from you. View the full graphic here.

25 February 2013
Payroll Tax Reform 

Business and Industry lobby groups have joined forces to urge both major political parties to commit to lifting the payroll tax threshold. 

12 February 2013 
Customer Service

One of Perth’s most respected managers has hit out at our city’s bad service; the Australian Hotels Association says customers have the power. 

8 February 2013
Barnett pledges liquor overhaul for restaurants – The West Australian

Premier Colin Barnett has promised to allow restaurants to serve liquor to patrons without requiring them to buy a meal in a move he said reflected Perth’s maturing sophistication. Read the full online article here.
 

8 February 2013
Barnett targets “antiquated” bar rules – watoday.com.au

Tapping into long-standing red tape frustration burdening small bars and restaurants in Western Australia, the Liberal Party has pledged to end rules forcing patrons to buy a meal when they just want a drink. Read the full online article here. 

8 February 2013
WA Premier’s alcohol rules could win votes – news.com.au

PERTH restaurants could soon serve alcohol without food if Premier Colin Barnett has his way. Read the full online article here.

31 January 2013
Sweet taste of success hit by labour shortage – The West Australian

‘People will look back at the years 2010-2015 and remember it as a tipping point in WA… a time when world-class restaurants and bars came to town.’ Read the full article here.