Thu, 15th May 2008
Alco-Pops tax hike now under scrutiny
Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health
Labor’s ad hoc alco-pop tax will now be scrutinised by the Senate’s Community Affairs Committee after Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck successfully moved for an inquiry today.
"The Coalition is well aware of the complex range of issues which contribute to binge drinking and we are concerned to see sensible measures introduced to reduce alcohol consumption," Senator Colbeck said.
"The Government’s knee-jerk midnight tax on premixed alcoholic beverages is ill-considered and it has been criticised by health and family experts, by law enforcement, by the alcohol industry and by the hospitality and retail industries.
"Most notably, it has been heavily criticised, even scorned, by Australians young and old who drink premixed beverages and who are adamant this measure will have absolutely no effect on the amount of alcohol that they, their family and their friends will consume.
"Policy should be made sensibly, in consultation with experts and interest groups, not by midnight proclamation.
"In March the Government asked the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy to make a report to COAG in December 2008 on options to reduce binge drinking.
"In the chamber this morning Senator Ludwig confirmed this arrangement – but by imposing the ad hoc alco-pops tax, the Government has openly stepped outside its own policy-making processes and made a mockery of all its new advisory groups.
"This Committee is necessary to examine the supposed effectiveness of the Government’s new tax in reducing excessive consumption, and the modelling and evidence on which the excise increase was based.
"Importantly, the Committee will also examine the effect of alternative means of limiting excessive alcohol consumption and levels of alcohol related harm among young people.
"The Committee will hear evidence from health experts, representatives of the ready-to-drink alcohol industry, spirits industry, hotels and liquor retailers and Government officials familiar with the modelling and health policy data used to underpin this policy decision," Senator Colbeck said.