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Alcopops Tax A Fizzer

Press Releases February 24 2009

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Binge drinking continues unabated in Australian society, which is a clear indictment on the failure of the Rudd government’s alcopops tax, Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding said today.

Australia’s binge drinking problem has not been fixed despite the government’s assurances that the alcopops tax, introduced in April last year, would curb binge drinking and alcohol-related violence. 

“Three weeks ago in the Senate I asked the government to explain how it was going to fully address binge drinking,” Senator Fielding said. 

“The Minister could not tell me. The government has had ample time to tackle binge drinking head on and promote responsible drinking but it has failed. 

“Family First has draft laws before the Senate to tackle binge drinking through health warning labels, banning daytime TV advertising of alcohol, taking control of alcohol advertising away from the alcohol industry and educating people about the dangers of binge drinking. 

“Last year I indicated I would support this tax because the economic crisis was starting to bite and I wanted to help shore up our economy. 

“But I can’t be blind to what this tax is failing to do. I cannot give this government an open-ended ‘yes’ to this tax when our society is grappling with the problem of binge drinking and the government turns its back. 

“This government has gone back on its word to the Australian people that it would tackle the serious issue of binge drinking and make our communities safer. 

“Family First will be moving a sunset clause that gives the government six months to get this right. Six months to attack and address this issue and make a difference. Family First wants to see real change to Australia’s binge drinking problem, like alcohol related hospital admissions falling and less drunken street violence threatening our communities.”