A PUSH by the State Government to force pubs and clubs to stop selling liquor for at least three hours a day will face opposition from the Liberal Party.

The Government wants to require venues that trade late into the night, or 24 hours a day, to impose a three-hour break in alcohol sales at some point between 3am and 8am.

It argues the measure will help curb risky or excessive drinking but the Opposition says there is “no basis” for the restriction.

MPs began debating the Liquor Licensing Bill in state Parliament on Tuesday.

The Opposition also raised concerns, backed by the hotel industry, about proposed increases to venue licensing fees, which MPs described as a “tax grab”.

The Bill is based on recommendations made by former judge Tim Anderson in a review of the current liquor licensing system.

Mr Anderson recommended the three-hour break in liquor sales occur at some point between 3am and 9am but the Government shrunk the window by an hour, to 8am.

The Late Night Venues Association has condemned the measure, saying it would cripple businesses which trade into the early hours or around the clock.

Opposition Deputy Leader Vickie Chapman said there was “just no basis” for the change and flagged that Liberal MPs would vote against it.

Liberal MP Sam Duluk added that South Australians “do not want to live in a restrictive society where the Attorney-General decides what time you can have a drink and what you can drink — otherwise, we will all just be drinking sauvignon blanc”.

Attorney-General John Rau said there was no public benefit in “people being able to go to a venue and literally drink all night”.

He said the proposed break was “obviously in the public interest”.

Mr Anderson’s review also considered small-bar licences, which were introduced to SA in 2013.

They streamline the licensing process for venues with fewer than 120 patrons which close by 2am, at the latest, but are limited to the Adelaide CBD.

Mr Anderson suggested they be extended to North Adelaide but this was rejected by the Government.

Labor MP and former minister Tom Kenyon went against Government policy by suggesting during parliamentary debate that the popular licences should be expanded to the suburbs and regional centres, including Port Lincoln and Mt Gambier, “in due course”.

Mr Kenyon said there were 82 small bars operating in the CBD and 11 further licence applications were being assessed.