LABOR SUPPORTS NATIONAL SUMMIT TO TACKLE ALCOHOL-FUELLED VIOLENCE

 

Federal Labor fully supports the Australian Medical Association’s call for a national summit to address alcohol misuse and harms.

 

This is a positive and constructive move by the AMA. As a community, we must stand up against violence in all its forms and do what we can to prevent it.

 

We also owe it to innocent people like Daniel Christie and their families and friends to face up to this, together.

 

Street violence, alcohol-fuelled violence and violence in the home should never be tolerated – and it will take all of our efforts to tackle it.

 

This isn’t just a problem in one small pocket of Sydney. It isn’t just a challenge for local and state governments. This is a national issue that demands national attention.

 

Federal Labor will support efforts of the community and any government – federal, state or local - that helps stop this insidious scourge.

 

The AMA's leadership in calling for industry, public health experts and others to engage in constructive discussions to look at how we can reduce alcohol related harm is to be commended.

 

A national summit is the most appropriate way to bring these groups together and Labor would welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with the Government on this issue.

 

The Opposition recently wrote to the Prime Minister calling on him to provide funding for boxer Danny Green’s remarkably powerful ‘One Punch’ advertisement. It’s these kinds of measures that send a very clear message that violence is unacceptable.

 

In government Labor introduced the National Binge Drinking Strategy to address binge drinking, particularly among young people.

 

As part of this Strategy, Labor worked with community organisations and local and national sport organisations to communicate the short and long-term harms of drinking at risky levels.

 

 

THURSDAY, 23 JANUARY 2014

 

MEDIA CONTACT:          LEADERS OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053

ALEX WHITE 02 6277 4407