Parents urged to read Schoolies guide
Published Saturday, 18 October, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
The State Government is urging parents to read the Parents Guide to Alcohol and a Safer Schoolies being inserted in tomorrow’s Sunday Newspaper.
Developed by the Queensland Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and the Department of Communities, the insert aims to help parents manage the challenges of Schoolies week.
Premier and Acting Treasurer Anna Bligh said the guide supported the graphic Don’t Kid Yourself television commercial which hit television screens last Sunday.
“The Sunday Mail insert and the television commercial are specifically targeting parents,’’ she said.
“They’ve been designed to make parents think about the consequences of supplying their child with alcohol and encourage them to talk about alcohol and Schoolies with their child.’’
Results of a survey conducted by The Sunday Mail on behalf of the Queensland Government earlier this year indicated that around one third of parents plan to supply their children with alcohol at this year’s Schoolies Week.
“This practice is now illegal and parents face a $6000 fine. But that is not the worst thing that can happen with statistics showing 67 per cent of our teenagers are assaulted or abused while under the influence of alcohol,’’ Ms Bligh said.
“It is time for parents to take responsibility and stop putting their head in the sand about this issue – stop supplying alcohol to these kids.
“The Queensland Government is serious about tackling the issue of underage drinking at Schoolies and will prosecute any parent or other adult that is caught breaking the law.
“No parent wants to get a phone call from police about their child being injured or arrested at Schoolies. Think about how it would feel if you had contributed to that outcome by providing the alcohol.”
Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the guide was essential reading for any parent preparing to send their child to Schoolies week.
“At Schoolies over the past two years there have been some really nasty incidents ranging from street brawls to intoxicated teens left in vulnerable situations,’’ she said.
“One of the other things parents don’t think about is the fact that intoxicated minors can be arrested and charged for drunk and disorderly conduct just the same as an adult.
“I was concerned to hear that recent focus group research conducted by AC Neilson revealed that parents believe that if they buy the alcohol for their underage children they will know what and how much their teen is drinking.
“In reality they are probably providing a portion of alcohol that will be added to a combined quantity supplied by other parents or friends who are over 18. So my question to parents is – why make it easier?
“One of the aims of our Towards Q2 – Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative is to make Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people. Another is to support safe and caring communities. This guide is certainly ensuring that we meet our objectives.’’
Developed by the Queensland Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and the Department of Communities, the insert aims to help parents manage the challenges of Schoolies week.
Premier and Acting Treasurer Anna Bligh said the guide supported the graphic Don’t Kid Yourself television commercial which hit television screens last Sunday.
“The Sunday Mail insert and the television commercial are specifically targeting parents,’’ she said.
“They’ve been designed to make parents think about the consequences of supplying their child with alcohol and encourage them to talk about alcohol and Schoolies with their child.’’
Results of a survey conducted by The Sunday Mail on behalf of the Queensland Government earlier this year indicated that around one third of parents plan to supply their children with alcohol at this year’s Schoolies Week.
“This practice is now illegal and parents face a $6000 fine. But that is not the worst thing that can happen with statistics showing 67 per cent of our teenagers are assaulted or abused while under the influence of alcohol,’’ Ms Bligh said.
“It is time for parents to take responsibility and stop putting their head in the sand about this issue – stop supplying alcohol to these kids.
“The Queensland Government is serious about tackling the issue of underage drinking at Schoolies and will prosecute any parent or other adult that is caught breaking the law.
“No parent wants to get a phone call from police about their child being injured or arrested at Schoolies. Think about how it would feel if you had contributed to that outcome by providing the alcohol.”
Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the guide was essential reading for any parent preparing to send their child to Schoolies week.
“At Schoolies over the past two years there have been some really nasty incidents ranging from street brawls to intoxicated teens left in vulnerable situations,’’ she said.
“One of the other things parents don’t think about is the fact that intoxicated minors can be arrested and charged for drunk and disorderly conduct just the same as an adult.
“I was concerned to hear that recent focus group research conducted by AC Neilson revealed that parents believe that if they buy the alcohol for their underage children they will know what and how much their teen is drinking.
“In reality they are probably providing a portion of alcohol that will be added to a combined quantity supplied by other parents or friends who are over 18. So my question to parents is – why make it easier?
“One of the aims of our Towards Q2 – Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative is to make Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people. Another is to support safe and caring communities. This guide is certainly ensuring that we meet our objectives.’’