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ANOTHER WEEKEND AND MORE ALCOHOL RELATED VIOLENCE ON MELBOURNE’S STREETS

Press Releases September 06 2009

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Victorian Senator Steve Fielding says he won’t stop trying to address Australia’s $16 billon alcohol toll despite another wild morning on Melbourne’s streets.

In the latest incident of a growing wave of alcohol-related violence, a gang of 10 men attacked two men after an argument on the dance floor of a pub in South Melbourne at 2.45 this morning.

Police said the fight spilled onto the street where one of the attackers picked up a steel bollard used by the nightclub to rope off the entry, using the heavy pole to bash one of the victims.

“It costs taxpayers $16bn a year mopping up after the excessive consumption of alcohol, with 40 percent of police work spent on alcohol-related issues,” Senator Fielding said.

“The culture of binge drinking in this country has got to stop, because clearly we don’t want to have incidents like the one this morning tarnishing our great city.

“The Rudd Government needs to get on the job of putting an end to the $16bn alcohol toll as recommended in the National Preventative Health Taskforce Report.

“The report makes it crystal clear to the Rudd Government that simply slapping a tax on alcohol products isn’t the only way to address our country’s health problems.

“Tighter controls on alcohol advertising and health warning labels are need in combination with business support for the ‘Just Think’ campaign.”

The ‘Just Think’ campaign sends a strong message that alcohol abuse and reckless violence has no part in our society.

“Business groups like AIG, BCA, ACCI and local chamber of commerce groups can lead the way in changing our binge drinking culture and putting an end to the $16bn alcohol toll,” Senator Fielding said.

“AFL clubs have got on board and have realised the importance of creating a healthy workplace so its important business groups get behind the cause as well.

“Wouldn’t it be great if every workplace had ‘Just Think’ posters up around their staff rooms, water coolers and kitchens to get people talking about the alcohol toll.”