Dr LIM - 1994-11-22
Mr Speaker, I direct this question to the minister in his role as minister responsible for the Liquor Commission. I noted with interest the release of the latest figures in relation to the consumption of light beer in the Northern Territory. Does this reduction in light beer sales follow a national trend? Is the Liquor Commission targeting this issue over the Christmas period?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Indeed, the figures to which he refers are interesting. Although it appears that there has been a swing back to heavy beer, I believe the statistics which were released are very encouraging for the Territory. However, firstly, allow me to clear up a couple of misconceptions. It is not, as some people would have us believe, the first time that light beer sales have taken a downward slide since 1986-87. In fact, the percentage of light beer sold has fluctuated markedly since the introduction of the Living With Alcohol policy in 1992. The first quarter of this year saw the figure fall to under 30% for the first time since the alcohol levy was introduced, but the overall figures are still quite pleasing.
Other factors that should be taken into account are that nationally there has been a 6% decrease in light beer consumption while the fall in the Northern Territory is half of that, at about 3%, and our consumption of light beer is still 7% above the national average. It should be kept in mind that, in the first quarter of 1992, the total percentage of light beer sold was 9.68% compared with virtually nothing - in fact, 0.39% - in the 12 months prior to that. Thus, in the space of 2 and a half years, the drinking habits of Territorians have shown incredible changes.
Not only is the swing away from heavy beer a healthy one, but it is a sign also that people are showing more responsibility about drinking alcohol. The point came home to me the other day when I read an NT News front page article reporting the swing back to heavy beer. The NT News reporter and photographer made their way to the nearest watering hole to obtain a reaction from patrons. I believe it is quite clear that our strategies are working well given the comments of a young man at the conclusion of that story. The NT News reported that he had said that he liked the taste of heavier beer but drank light beer if he intended driving. That sums up how the attitude of drinkers has changed in the Territory.
A few short years ago, people would not have thought about any alternative to drinking heavy beer. That is proven by the figures that date back to the last quarter of 1991, immediately prior to the changes introduced by this government. In that quarter, a total of 8.3 million litres of heavy beer and only 12 000 litres of light beer were sold. In the corresponding period last year, exactly 2 years later, a total of 5.3 million litres of heavy beer were sold and more than 2.5 million litres of light beer were sold. That swing to light beer is simply remarkable. Now that the market has been established, I believe it will plateau. Of course, there will always be ups and downs depending on what has been marketed. Although it is only an assumption, I believe most members would agree with my
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view that the reason why the light beer scene has quietened down is due to the introduction of 2 extremely popular boutique beers - Hahn Ice and Carlton Cold.
The Alcohol Policy Unit's new advertising campaign, which is scheduled to hit television screens over Christmas, will pat Territorians on the back for their major shift from heavy beer to light beer over the last couple of years and encourage them to maintain that healthy drinking behaviour. The figures are encouraging. My only hope is that, whether the beer consumed over the festive season is light or heavy, drinking is done in a very responsible manner.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Indeed, the figures to which he refers are interesting. Although it appears that there has been a swing back to heavy beer, I believe the statistics which were released are very encouraging for the Territory. However, firstly, allow me to clear up a couple of misconceptions. It is not, as some people would have us believe, the first time that light beer sales have taken a downward slide since 1986-87. In fact, the percentage of light beer sold has fluctuated markedly since the introduction of the Living With Alcohol policy in 1992. The first quarter of this year saw the figure fall to under 30% for the first time since the alcohol levy was introduced, but the overall figures are still quite pleasing.
Other factors that should be taken into account are that nationally there has been a 6% decrease in light beer consumption while the fall in the Northern Territory is half of that, at about 3%, and our consumption of light beer is still 7% above the national average. It should be kept in mind that, in the first quarter of 1992, the total percentage of light beer sold was 9.68% compared with virtually nothing - in fact, 0.39% - in the 12 months prior to that. Thus, in the space of 2 and a half years, the drinking habits of Territorians have shown incredible changes.
Not only is the swing away from heavy beer a healthy one, but it is a sign also that people are showing more responsibility about drinking alcohol. The point came home to me the other day when I read an NT News front page article reporting the swing back to heavy beer. The NT News reporter and photographer made their way to the nearest watering hole to obtain a reaction from patrons. I believe it is quite clear that our strategies are working well given the comments of a young man at the conclusion of that story. The NT News reported that he had said that he liked the taste of heavier beer but drank light beer if he intended driving. That sums up how the attitude of drinkers has changed in the Territory.
A few short years ago, people would not have thought about any alternative to drinking heavy beer. That is proven by the figures that date back to the last quarter of 1991, immediately prior to the changes introduced by this government. In that quarter, a total of 8.3 million litres of heavy beer and only 12 000 litres of light beer were sold. In the corresponding period last year, exactly 2 years later, a total of 5.3 million litres of heavy beer were sold and more than 2.5 million litres of light beer were sold. That swing to light beer is simply remarkable. Now that the market has been established, I believe it will plateau. Of course, there will always be ups and downs depending on what has been marketed. Although it is only an assumption, I believe most members would agree with my
Page 287
view that the reason why the light beer scene has quietened down is due to the introduction of 2 extremely popular boutique beers - Hahn Ice and Carlton Cold.
The Alcohol Policy Unit's new advertising campaign, which is scheduled to hit television screens over Christmas, will pat Territorians on the back for their major shift from heavy beer to light beer over the last couple of years and encourage them to maintain that healthy drinking behaviour. The figures are encouraging. My only hope is that, whether the beer consumed over the festive season is light or heavy, drinking is done in a very responsible manner.
Page 288
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016