Govt cosy with pubs and clubs while alcohol-related crime

“Today’s report shows disturbingly high rates of alcohol-related crime especially in regional NSW and points to the Iemma government’s failure to tackle the powerful pubs and clubs lobby and put real resources into stemming alcohol-related crime”, said Ms Hale.

“The recorded rate of offending for alcohol related crime per 100,000 people in NSW in 2006 was 1487 and this rises to over 4,500 in many areas of Western NSW.

“By far, the largest category of alcohol-related crime is assault. The report makes it clear that alcohol plays a large role in violent crime yet the government seems to push alcohol-related problems under the carpet, focusing instead on other drugs, such as heroin or ice.

“At the 2003 NSW Alcohol Summit, then NSW Commissioner of Police Mr Ken Maroney said people intoxicated with alcohol and perpetrating domestic
and other violence account for up to 75% of the workload of the NSW police.

“Despite this admission, the government pledged to spend less than one tenth of the amount that the government put into drug programs following the 1999 NSW Drug Summit.

“The pub industry is a major donor to NSW Labor. During the past 5 years, individual hotels contributed over $2 million to NSW Labor and the Australian Hotels Association donated over $525,000 in NSW ALP in this period.

“One has to ask how these hefty donations from pubs and clubs influence Labor’s reluctance to put proper resources into alcohol education and treatment programs.

“The Greens call on the government to ban donations from the alcohol industry and to ban advertising promotions for alcohol that encourage excessive drinking.

“Taxing alcohol is one of the most effective ways to reduce alcohol consumption. But the NSW government has failed to push this at a national level.

“The Greens call for the reform of alcohol taxation so that the tax rate is based on alcohol content rather than beverage type. This income should be funnelled into alcohol and drug education and treatment,” said Ms Hale.

For more information:       Hazel Blunden, 9230 3030