SCHOOLIES LIQUOR ROLE FOR PARENTS

Liquor Licensing Minister Margaret Keech has urged parents to teach their school-leaver teenagers - before end-of-year Schoolies celebrations - the dangers of irresponsible consumption of alcohol.

Mrs Keech also warned parents it is an offence to supply liquor to minors for consumption in public places and that they faced heavy fines if caught doing so.

“Parents should be aware of the laws around supplying alcohol to minors, and take steps to educate their children that getting intoxicated at Schoolies Week is not a ‘rite of passage’, she said.

“Some parents choose to purchase liquor for their under 18-year-olds to consume within the privacy of their Schoolies accommodation unit. This is not an offence, as long as the schoolies are not staying at a licensed hotel or motel.

“Problems arise when schoolies leave their accommodation units to join other activities. If they have been drinking, they can be fined for being drunk in a public place or drinking in a public place if they are in possession of alcohol, even if they are holding it for a friend.”

Mrs Keech said persons buying or supplying alcohol to minors, whether a friend or a parent, faced $600 on-the-spot fines, or prosecution and fines of up to $3000.

“The Beattie Government is obviously not interested in fining parents who allow their under 18-year-old teens an alcoholic drink under supervision in their own home,” she said.

“However, it is an entirely different matter for alcohol being consumed by minors in public places during Schoolies Week.

“Over the past two years Liquor Licensing officers have issued 306 fines totalling $183,525 to people supplying alcohol to minors – 48 of these fines have been issued during Schoolies Week celebrations.

“It is most important that parents recognise the misuse and abuse of alcohol is dangerous. It can, and does, lead to incidents of violence and harm.

“While the Beattie Government is working hard to protect young people attending Schoolies Week, parents need to shoulder their responsibility.

“I encourage all parents to sit down and talk about Schoolies Week with their childrenr teenagers.”

Parents can visit the schoolies website – www.schoolies.com.au – for tips on what to discuss.

Media contacts:

Minister’s Office : David Smith 3225 1005

Liquor Licensing Division: Kylie Hickling 3247 5963