Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2011-10-20
The Enough is Enough alcohol reform is helping to reduce alcohol-related crime and harm in our community. Can you please inform the House on what the industry and business sector, health, and police are saying about the reforms?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for the question and her support of these reforms. The government consulted extensively across the alcohol sectors, from the industry providers, the legal profession, the health sector and police when developing the Enough is Enough reforms. We worked collaboratively with both the Liquor Association and the Australian Hotels Association on the implementation and roll-out of the Banned Drinker Register, right down to designing the training packages for the staff at point of sale.
We have seen widespread support across all these sectors for our reforms, because people recognise they target the problem drinker without criminalising chronic alcoholics. The People’s Alcohol Action Coalition in Alice Springs said of the alcohol measures - I will quote Dr John Boffa, who supported the reforms, stating:
He also stated the laws created:
That was on ABC radio. Also in Alice Springs, the alternative lobby group if you like, the Responsible Drinkers Lobby, welcomed the reforms, saying:
Police stated the measures provide the most powerful tool police have had to deal with alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour and violence. In his view, Assistant Commissioner Mark Payne believes, and I quote: ‘Early indicators prove that the initiative is working’.
Recently, the Law Society outgoing President, Matthew Storey, stated in a media release on 14 October:
We keep saying these are early days; however, we also recognise it is not just our government’s view that these are effective new tools. It is a view that is shared by people who work in the alcohol industry, across medical services, and our police who are out there on a daily basis enforcing these new tools.
Standing on their own, in stark opposition to the new reforms and these powerful legislative tools, is the CLP. They would turn the problem drinker back on tap. They would open up the rivers of grog, and they would peddle the misery we are trying to stop. Shame on you!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for the question and her support of these reforms. The government consulted extensively across the alcohol sectors, from the industry providers, the legal profession, the health sector and police when developing the Enough is Enough reforms. We worked collaboratively with both the Liquor Association and the Australian Hotels Association on the implementation and roll-out of the Banned Drinker Register, right down to designing the training packages for the staff at point of sale.
We have seen widespread support across all these sectors for our reforms, because people recognise they target the problem drinker without criminalising chronic alcoholics. The People’s Alcohol Action Coalition in Alice Springs said of the alcohol measures - I will quote Dr John Boffa, who supported the reforms, stating:
- It provided a consistent approach across the Territory for the first time.
He also stated the laws created:
- … consequences in terms of prohibition orders and in terms of referral for treatment which could make a significant difference.
That was on ABC radio. Also in Alice Springs, the alternative lobby group if you like, the Responsible Drinkers Lobby, welcomed the reforms, saying:
- These initiatives are a great step forward and obviously well thought out. I believe they do reflect the wishes of the majority of our community. Well done.
Police stated the measures provide the most powerful tool police have had to deal with alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour and violence. In his view, Assistant Commissioner Mark Payne believes, and I quote: ‘Early indicators prove that the initiative is working’.
Recently, the Law Society outgoing President, Matthew Storey, stated in a media release on 14 October:
- The current government is to be congratulated on the measures they have taken to curb alcohol abuse.
We keep saying these are early days; however, we also recognise it is not just our government’s view that these are effective new tools. It is a view that is shared by people who work in the alcohol industry, across medical services, and our police who are out there on a daily basis enforcing these new tools.
Standing on their own, in stark opposition to the new reforms and these powerful legislative tools, is the CLP. They would turn the problem drinker back on tap. They would open up the rivers of grog, and they would peddle the misery we are trying to stop. Shame on you!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016