'Systematic failures' hindering regulation of pubs and clubs "Systematic failures," including a lack of coordination, understanding and information sharing, is hampering the effective regulation of Queensland pubs and clubs. The regulation of Queensland clubs and pubs has been "hindered" by "systematic failures" of the government office charged with investigating the industry. And patrons were more likely to be fined than the premises where they were drinking, with 1659 customers fined by the regulatory body in the past three and a half years compared with just 174 handed to bars and clubs over the same period. Ombudsman Bill Clarke released a report looking at the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, as part of a wider review of the state's regulatory bodies. Senior staff and officers from the OLGR and the Queensland police, which assists the state body, were interviewed and 179 case files were reviewed. While Mr Clarke did not go as far as saying liquor licensees were getting away with breaching the act because of poor investigatory practices, he did say "systematic failures," including a lack of coordination, understanding and information sharing between the body and police, was hampering effective regulation. He cited one example of a bar which was alleged to have intoxicated bar staff, no OLGR signage on display, patrons who smoked inside, and no disabled toilet. Following complaints, OLGR investigators noted that police who had attended the bar on a social basis had "no concerns" and two non-scheduled visits, two months apart, at 7.30pm found the bar closed. To close the case, OLGR staff reached the manager by telephone, who assured them he had five staff trained for Responsible Service of Alcohol and he had never "seen anyone intoxicated," but did acknowledge there was a lack of signage. In response, the regulator sent them a letter, enclosing some signage, and closed the case, without further investigation. Mr Clarke found that "poor investigative planning, evidence gathering and inadequate analysis of issues" hindered how investigators carried out their job. The regulator was also found to be failing in its duty to follow up with licensees who it had issued breach notices. He made 18 recommendations, which included rewriting the body's investigative practices and reviewing how the OLGR enforced its policies, including making it easier for investigators to take action.