About Liquor & Gaming Specialists

What is our background?

Liquor & Gaming Specialists was established in 1997 by Matthew Jones LLB and since then we have seen a number of sweeping changes in the regulation of gaming and liquor licensing in Queensland. Our Directors and Senior Consultants were employed by the now defunct Queensland Licensing Commission and its successor the Liquor Licensing Division and were responsible for the design of guidelines, advocacy, compliance and processing of applications.

We ensure all our team members are responsible for quality work and service.

We are transparent and scrupulously honest, fair and respectful in all our dealings.

We maintain the highest level of client confidentiality at all times.

We communicate clearly using plain language, internally and externally.

We recognise that as team members we all share the responsibility of providing excellent service through effective communication with all stakeholders.

Matthew Jones – Director

Mr Jones graduated from QUT in 1996 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. He worked as a public servant in the Queensland Licensing Commission and Liquor Licensing Division for the period between March 1987 and October 1997. During the second half of his career within the public sector, Matthew was responsible for various aspects of the liquor licensing process relevant to the design of guidelines including contributions to policy development, production of operations manuals, legal and social research, and advocacy.

In addition to desk top research, Mr Jones carried out face to face consultation with various stakeholders, including the broader community through the conduct of objections conferences, and liaison with numerous agencies including Police, Local Government, community welfare organisations and so on.

During Mr Jones’ final years with the Division he was responsible for almost all advocacy work before the Liquor Appeals Tribunal, preparing and arguing the case in support of the decisions of the Chief Executive. Many of these matters were decided on grounds which specifically included questions of health and social impact, and the potential impact of a particular application on the amenity, quiet and good order of the community. The preparation and presentation of these matters included consultation with affected residents including the preparation of statements of evidence, liaison with Police, elected representatives, local authorities and health and welfare organisations, and so on.

In late 1997 Mr Jones established his current consultancy practice, Liquor & Gaming Specialists which now includes some 6 professional staff. The relevant professional services provided by Mr Jones specifically include preparing applications for new licences and extended hours approvals, advice regarding premises design and construction, particularly with respect to ameliorating noise and patron behaviour impacts, applications for gaming machine authorities, preparation of community impact statements, development of house policies and managing smoking and smoking-related compliance.

Mr Jones has researched and assessed the likely impact of specific liquor and gaming approvals on the community in a relevant locality, and has developed strategies in cases which feature some indicators of adverse amenity impact and/or social disadvantage.

Mr Jones is presently Secretary of the Brisbane CBD Licensees Association, a member of the Fortitude Valley Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Valley Alcohol Management Partnership, and in these capacities has been consulted on a wide range of issues.

David Grundy – Director

David is known for having liquor in his blood. Not because of hish shlurry bio, his love of pretzels or for being referred to as the 8th dwarf “Drinky”, but through his dedicated work in the licensing industry for close to 20 years. Although he initially wanted a longer bio than fellow director Mr Jones, David notes that he wishes not to blow his own trumpet here and at home plays second fiddle. Mr Grundy gained seven years experience within the Queensland Licensing Commission and Liquor Licensing Division. He specialised in the policy of administration and at times, the administration of policy. Mr Grundy was responsible for management of hundreds of matters under the Liquor Act including applications for new licences and permits, transferring licences, variations to existing licences, alterations to licensed areas, extended trading hours and detached bottleshops. He also gained valuable experience in industry development and compliance areas.

Mr Grundy joined Liquor & Gaming Specialists over a decade ago and has since assisted licensees in Queensland and across Australia with liquor and gaming matters. He has presided over all manner of liquor and gaming licensing applications and related issues. These include the preparation of a number of Community Impact Statements and Risk Assessed Management Plans and attendance at objections conferences and Liquor Appeal hearings. He has a broad knowledge of all aspects of the application process and has prepared Town Planning, food licence, footpath dining and Amplified Music Permit applications on behalf of his clients.

Kirra Faulkner – Senior Consultant

Miss Faulkner graduated from James Cook University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. She went on to complete her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice that same year at Queensland University of Technology and was admitted to the legal profession in February 2010.

Kirra has an extensive background in the hospitality industry having worked in a variety of hospitality roles over the last nine years. She has spent the last four of these years balancing tertiary study and managerial positions in licensed venues within Queensland and has ensured gaming compliance for these venues. Kirra joined Liquor and Gaming Specialists in early 2010 with an interest in combining her practical hospitality skills and knowledge of the law.

Her duties at Liquor & Gaming Specialists include conducting operational evaluations of licensed venues. These evaluations include reporting on structure, compliance, staffing, marketing, purchasing practices, service delivery and efficiency of the overall running of the venue.

Miss Faulkner is also involved in the preparation of community impact statements, consultations with community groups, businesses and residents, the preparation of applications for new liquor and gaming machine licences, licence transfers, extended hours permits, increases in the approved number of gaming machines and/or hours of gaming.

Kirra is responsible for the preparation and filing of applications in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, review of decisions in respect of liquor and gaming applications and attending hearings at the Tribunal.

She is also responsible for liaising with government agencies in all Australian jurisdictions, providing advice in relation to trade promotion lotteries and preparing requirements for these lotteries.

Nathan Chalmers – Consultant

Mr Chalmers is currently studying internally at the Queensland University of Technology and will complete his Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Business degree in 2012. Nathan joined Liquor and Gaming Specialists in early 2009 with an interest in furthering his knowledge in a specialized area of law and regulation to enhance his studies in his chosen field.

Mr Chalmers background includes employment in a managerial role in the retail sector and as a sporting official. His duties at Liquor & Gaming Specialists extend to the preparation of community impact statements, preparation of applications for new liquor and gaming licences, transfer of licences, extended hours permits, increase in approved number of gaming machines, and increase in approved hours of gaming. He also regularly assists the Directors of the company in the research of licensing and related matters.

Clare Osborn – Administration

Clare has been with Liquor & Gaming Specialists since the firm’s inception in 1997. Providing administrative support to the professional team and acting as the first point of contact for clients and suppliers she is the mainstay of the business.

Clare’s calm and confident manner and impeccable attention to detail have won her many admirers, both inside and outside our organisation.

Diarmuid Deans – Marketing and Internet Strategy

Diarmuid has been associated with Liquor & Gaming Specialists since 2002 and fulfils a number of roles within the LGS Group.

His daily responsibilities include overseeing the maintenance and promotion of the company websites, developing marketing strategies, identifying opportunities and generating new business. He also advises the Directors on a number of key business areas.

He is a co-founder of LGS Training and is working with Matthew Jones to develop a comprehensive online resource for liquor licensing compliance, due for release in mid 2012.