Gain practical insights into Victoria’s evolving liquor and gaming framework. Examine how the removal of local planning permits under Amendment VC286 is reshaping approvals for liquor and hospitality. Discover new opportunities for wine and craft producers without cellar doors. Identify compliance challenges under the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 and develop strategies to improve the processing of liquor and gambling applications. Apply these insights to stay informed, practical and confident in navigating Victoria’s changing regulatory landscape.

Presenters

Matthew Elefanty, Director, BSP Lawyers
Matt was admitted to practice in 2016 and became a Director of BSP Lawyers in July 2024. Matt works in BSP's property, planning, commercial and hospitality practice areas. Matt is an experienced practitioner in commercial and planning transactions, and regularly provides advice to clients and industry bodies with respect to compliance and changes in policy from the Victorian liquor and gaming regulatory bodies. Matt was also instrumental in BSP’s role providing industry advice during the COVID-19 Pandemic with respect to the interpretation of and compliance with increasingly complex State Government Directions. Matt’s current areas of practice include: Facilitating commercial transactions, including sales of businesses and associated due diligence; Drafting and advising on corporate documents including rules and constitutions for body corporates, unitholder and shareholder agreements, retail leases and related deeds;l Planning and development, including advice, due diligence and managing planning projects; Managing and advising on liquor and gaming matters; and Land acquisition and compensation, including advice, and preparation and management of claims and compensation processes. Matt works in connection with other practitioners across multiple practice areas within BSP to manage his clients through all manners of matters they require.

Madeleine Lee, Senior Associate, Zervos Lawyers
Joining Zervos Lawyers in 2010, Madeleine has developed extensive experience in all aspects of commercial law with a particular emphasis on the hospitality industry with a focus on liquor licensing, gaming, property law and litigation. Madeleine is the go-to lawyer for sales and purchases of licensed businesses and negotiation of commercial and retail leasing. Madeleine's strong relationships with clients and third parties is an essential element for client success. Madeleine is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria's Liquor, Gaming & Hospitality Law Committee.

Elizabeth Priddle, Director, BSP Lawyers
Elizabeth Priddle is a founder and director of Bazzani Scully Priddle (BSP) Lawyers, a boutique law firm specialising in liquor licensing, hospitality and gaming law. Elizabeth's work for clients covers a range of areas, extending from specific liquor licensing and gambling expertise through to broader commercial areas. With over 20 years of experience in the commercial and hospitality areas, Elizabeth's practice primarily involves acting in transactions involving the sale and purchase of licensed businesses and/or freeholds, and the associated gaming and liquor law compliance issues. She also advises clients on how to manage the often-complicated application process required by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation in relation to gaming and liquor licensing. Elizabeth's broader commercial practice includes property transaction and leasing work, as well as an extensive body of work in planning law. She is regularly involved in all types of planning applications before VCAT, particularly in relation to licensed premises. She also advises clients on applications for planning permits, and conducting planning due diligence for acquisitions of businesses and freeholds. Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Economics from Monash University, and can be contacted on epriddle@bsplawyers.com.au.