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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-11-27 Daily Xml
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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: SALE AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (12:58): I move:

That the 35th report of the committee, the Interim Report on the Inquiry into the Sale and Consumption of Alcohol, be noted.

The terms of reference for the inquiry were advertised on 11 May this year, and the committee wrote directly to a number of individuals and organisations with expertise and interest in the subject matter inviting them provide evidence. A total of 34 written submissions were received and 48 witnesses have given evidence to the committee to date. The committee would like to thank all those people who have assisted with the inquiry.

The committee commenced hearing public evidence on 20 May this year and concluded hearings for the current year on 18 November. Due to time constraints the committee has not yet completed its inquiry. Members have resolved to present an interim report on the findings to date into the adequacy and appropriateness of the laws and practices relating to the sale and consumption of alcohol in South Australia. Additionally, the committee has reported on the health risks of alcohol consumption in respect of foetal alcohol syndrome.

In conducting the inquiry into alcohol the committee sought to consider the available evidence concerning whether laws and practices should be modified in any way to minimise social and health issues, criminal and other antisocial behaviour arising from the consumption of alcohol, and to effect positive change where necessary.

The committee has heard that last year 50 per cent of police callouts and one in eight deaths of people under the age of 25 were alcohol-related. The committee was told that alcohol and its impact on the community has become a highly complex challenge with a solution pathway that may not exist or may not be available in this current generation. The committee was cognisant of the importance of laws and practices, and how they may contribute to the burden of problem-drinking in South Australia and, to the extent they do contribute, how they should be changed, if at all, and how might those changes be implemented effectively requires careful consideration.

It is difficult to say with any certainty whether laws and practices on their own are adequate. Additionally, there is a need for ongoing health promotion strategies, community education, and social marketing strategies, appropriately targeted at population groups to inform the community of best practice approaches to protect and promote the health of individual community members and the health of their children. Inquiries such as this would not be helpful without the valuable contributions of many individuals and organisations who gave up their time to come forward and give information. We thank all of those who were—

Mrs Geraghty: You can talk a little slower.

Ms BEDFORD: Alright. It's all written down anyway. The committee heard that the issue for the government in setting alcohol policy through regulation and public policy mechanisms is to balance the available evidence, the interests and aspirations of people who consume alcohol responsibly with those who misuse alcohol, as well as supporting the commercial interests of the alcohol industry and recognising the consequences for the community in terms of tourism, employment and revenue. I seek leave to conclude my remarks.

Leave granted: debate adjourned.


[Sitting suspended from 13:01 to 14:00]


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