Opposition urged to continue tackling binge drinking
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The Australian Drug Foundation has called for the Opposition to find new ways to tackle binge drinking after its decision to vote against the Government's alcopop tax hike.
Foundation representative Geoff Munro argued in favour of the tax increase at a forum hosted by the Coalition in Canberra yesterday.
Mr Munro says the forum was worthwhile, despite the foundation's disappointment with the Coalition's refusal to back the tax hike.
He says the Opposition can play a constructive role by advocating change in the way alcohol is marketed and reviewing the trading hours of liquor outlets and pubs.
"The positive thing is that both the Government and the Opposition are considering alcohol as a major problem in Australia and a thinking about what they can do to reduce alcohol-related harms," he said.
"I think the Opposition does have an opportunity to put forward some more ideas for Government to consider such as tackling the marketing of alcohol, such as tackling the hours of trading, such as tackling the strength of RTDs [ready to drink alcoholic drinks], I think there is room for a lot more action."
