Submission on the Alcohol Reform Bill To the Justice and Electoral Committee

Abstract

Submission opposing the proposed alcohol reform bill. The bill seeks to alleviate a problem that has largely been overstated. While alcohol abuse does cause many problems, measures of the costs of these problems are deeply flawed and seriously overstated. Further, unless policy is highly targeted against the drinkers that do impose serious and real harm on others, the Government risks penalizing moderate drinkers whose consumption not only provides them real enjoyment but also is associated with moderate health benefits.