Ministerial briefing paper emerges at heart of ATET dispute

Key points

• A 2023 ministerial briefing paper from the City of Melbourne has become central to a Supreme Court dispute over the closure of the Docklands venue ATET. The council admitted in April that terminating ATET’s licence was invalid, with settlement talks ongoing.
• The briefing paper, sent to the Victorian Government, revealed the council sought licence termination despite finding ATET compliant with planning and noise regulations.
• The council claimed ATET was unwilling to relocate, a point disputed by ATET, which argues relocation was actively being pursued.