Independent Liquor Review Committee Report

The Report of the Independent Review Committee (Committee) into the Liquor Control Act (Act) begins with some sobering comments for the community generally and particularly for those involved in the liquor industry.  Irrespective of the fact that industry members may be disappointed and inclined to disagree with the direction of many of the introductory comments, there are messages within it which are very relevant to all sectors of the industry looking into the future.

The Report begins with a quote to the effect that liquor is a psychoactive drug of dependence which happens to be legal.  The Committee then states there is the potential for liquor to be misused with serious negative consequences.  Although liquor is acknowledged to have played a central role in our culture historically as both a social activity and a religious ceremonial ritual, we are told its sale and consumption needs to be rigorously regulated.  

The following concerning aspects are then identified in the Report:

• There is a problem of health risks associated with what many consider to be prolonged normal drinking.
• There is both immediate harm caused by alcohol consumption plus long term impact across the community of drinking above recommended guidelines.
• Harmful drinking impacts beyond the drinker to families, carers, health and law enforcement services, local government and numerous government agencies.
• Rates of alcohol-related emergency department presentations have increased significantly over the last five years.  Metropolitan area residents’ alcohol related hospitalisations are up by over one third.

Although the majority of liquor that is supplied is sourced from packaged liquor outlets, the harm or inconvenience caused by anti-social behaviour mostly becomes apparent in and around those venues where the product is consumed.

An underlying theme of the Committee’s detailed report is that cultural changes around habits and behaviours are required so as to address both short and long term alcohol related harm.  According to the Committee community education is at least as important as is regulation.

This Report clearly is an important record both of social behaviour in the community and current community attitudes on the subject.  It contains many substantive recommendations.  If the recommendations are adopted and the Act is changed as proposed, those amendments with time should have the prospect of changing society’s behaviour pattern considerably.  Further, the proposed changes are likely to significantly alter the way liquor is sold, supplied and consumed in the community.  Whether and when the Government acts upon such a wide ranging report will be most interesting.