DRINKING CULTURE NEEDS TO CHANGE: KEECH
Published Tuesday, 11 September, 2007 at 01:42 PM
Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading, Wine Industry Development and Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
The Minister responsible for Liquor Licensing, Margaret Keech, has called on Australians to accept individual responsibility for the drinking culture which is causing so much damage to society.
Speaking at a Liquor Accords conference in Yeppoon today, Mrs Keech said the problem isn’t the use of alcohol, but the misuse of alcohol.
“We need to change the Australian culture, and that won’t be an easy job,” Mrs Keech said.
“There’s been plenty of publicity about the damage caused by young people binge drinking, but the problem is broader than that.
“I’m not saying people shouldn’t drink, but I am pleading with people of all ages to drink responsibly.
“We, as a society, know the problem; what we struggle with is the solution.
“The Government and industry have accepted their responsibility in the safe consumption of alcohol, now individuals need to accept their responsibility.
"It might take us another generation, even two, to make that happen, but I believe we can do it if we all work together.
“The damage caused by alcohol abuse manifests itself right across society, including ill-health, domestic violence, loss of productivity, individual loss and family breakdowns.”
Mrs Keech said the problem of unsafe drinking needs to be tackled at a national level, and she will call a forum of all Ministers responsible for Liquor Licensing to discuss solutions.
"Liquor Licensing Ministers do not have a forum where all State and Territory representatives can gather with their Federal counterpart to discuss these issues,” she said.
"I think it's vital that all Liquor Licensing Ministers share our knowledge and resources to help change a long-standing drinking culture that is destroying individuals, tearing families apart and affecting productivity."
Mrs Keech said she would soon write to all state and territory ministers responsible for Liquor Licensing, along with the Federal representative, outlining plans for the forum.
Media contact: David Smith (0409) 496 534
Speaking at a Liquor Accords conference in Yeppoon today, Mrs Keech said the problem isn’t the use of alcohol, but the misuse of alcohol.
“We need to change the Australian culture, and that won’t be an easy job,” Mrs Keech said.
“There’s been plenty of publicity about the damage caused by young people binge drinking, but the problem is broader than that.
“I’m not saying people shouldn’t drink, but I am pleading with people of all ages to drink responsibly.
“We, as a society, know the problem; what we struggle with is the solution.
“The Government and industry have accepted their responsibility in the safe consumption of alcohol, now individuals need to accept their responsibility.
"It might take us another generation, even two, to make that happen, but I believe we can do it if we all work together.
“The damage caused by alcohol abuse manifests itself right across society, including ill-health, domestic violence, loss of productivity, individual loss and family breakdowns.”
Mrs Keech said the problem of unsafe drinking needs to be tackled at a national level, and she will call a forum of all Ministers responsible for Liquor Licensing to discuss solutions.
"Liquor Licensing Ministers do not have a forum where all State and Territory representatives can gather with their Federal counterpart to discuss these issues,” she said.
"I think it's vital that all Liquor Licensing Ministers share our knowledge and resources to help change a long-standing drinking culture that is destroying individuals, tearing families apart and affecting productivity."
Mrs Keech said she would soon write to all state and territory ministers responsible for Liquor Licensing, along with the Federal representative, outlining plans for the forum.
Media contact: David Smith (0409) 496 534