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’s 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 Liquor & Gaming Specialists, which now includes some six 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 two decades 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.
William Overell – Senior Consultant
William joined us in 2012 and was awarded a Bachelor’s degree from Queensland University of Technology in 2019.
He has a detailed knowledge of licensing laws and handles a variety of liquor and gaming applications, specialising in NSW liquor license applications. In addition to his daily caseload, he is currently working with the company directors on a project aimed at redressing an imbalance in the distribution of Queensland EGM operating authorities between the Coastal and Western regions.
He is a keen cyclist and can often be seen arriving at the office in his Lycra, with or without all of his skin intact, and is a multiple titleholder of”Best Office Beard”.
Celia Chan – Consultant
Celia was awareded a Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Queensland in 2008 and has joined us after working in a range of client focussed organisations.
Celia handles all aspects of liquor licensing and is highly regarded by her clients for her efficiency and attention to detail. Her areas of expertise include Victorian liquor licence applications. In her spare time Celia enjoys rock climbing.
Angela Jones – Chief Financial Officer
Angela is responsible for the financial management of the LGS group of companies and has been with the organisation since its founding in 1997, after more than a decade in the financial sector.
In addition to advising the directors on financial decisions, she also oversees the organisation’s charitable undertakings.