(19 November 2013)

Alex Greenwich, the Member for Sydney, today gave notice of a motion to establish a select committee to investigate how the State Government can reduce alcohol fuelled violence.

Mr Greenwich said:

“We need to move beyond legislative stunts and band-aid solutions”

“We need to stop the political point scoring, and start listening to experts, affected families, and the good operators who are managing the issue well”

“From advertising and licence restrictions to increasing policing and compliance resources, a parliamentary inquiry will help us work towards real solutions for what is a growing community concern”

The terms of reference for the proposed inquiry are the examination of:

1. The scale and impacts of alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour

2. The evidence on effective measures to prevent alcohol fuelled violence including:
· Controls on advertising, including point of sale advertising.
·  Taxation of alcohol including hypothecated taxes directing funds to drug treatment and victim support.
· Transport options to and from late night hot spots, including King Cross
· Restrictions on alcohol sales, hours of sale, concentration of liquor outlets and assessment of cumulative impacts.
· Licensing conditions of venues
· Policing, enforcement and compliance resources and programs
· Education and behaviour change programs to address binge drinking culture
 
The committee would make recommendations for legislative reform, and on program and resource allocation to prevent and address alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Greenwich’s electorate includes the three major late night hot spots of Kings Cross, George Street and Oxford Street Darlinghurst.

“Every weekend in Sydney we deal with event-sized crowds of mostly intoxicated patrons affecting safety and residential amenity, and burdening hospital and police resources."

“Innocent people get hurt and public money is spent on cleaning up the mess. We need a safe, vibrant and civilised night time economy and that requires an evidence based approach.”