BOOZE SALES EXPLODE INLINE WITH INCREASE IN VIOLENCE

Press Releases October 05 2009

The latest monthly retail sales figures are further evidence of Australia’s booze driven culture in our society, Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding said today.

Figures reveal Australians spent $672 million in August at liquor outlets across the country.

“There is no doubt we have a culture of binge drinking in this country and these latest figures prove its getting worse,” Senator Fielding said.

“Compared to the same time last year Australians spent almost 20 percent more on grog.

“Over the last 10 years more than 3000 Australians have died every year of alcohol-induced conditions.

“If 3000 people died on our roads every year the government would be doing everything in its power to cut that figure.

“Just because its alcohol and it’s seen as safe the Rudd Government has gone soft on the issue.

“Now is the time for the Rudd Government to stand up and do something to address Australia’s $16 billion alcohol toll, especially heading into the spring racing season.

“It costs taxpayers $16 billion a year mopping up the mess caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol.

“The Rudd Government’s own Preventative Health Taskforce report makes it perfectly clear that a tax on alcohol isn’t the only measure needed to change our binge drinking culture.

“The report recommends Family First’s idea of tighter controls on alcohol advertising and health warning labels, something which was laughed off by the Rudd Government earlier this year.

“The PM made a step in the right direction by backing the ‘Just Think’ alcohol campaign, but now he needs to follow that up with the measures recommended by the Preventative Health Taskforce.”

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

Senator Steve Fielding - Leader of Family First

BOOZE SALES EXPLODE INLINE WITH INCREASE IN VIOLENCE

Press Releases October 05 2009

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