Alcohol has always enjoyed a leading role in Australian life. In the early days of the colony it actually substituted as currency during what was termed the "Rum Rebellion ". Military officers who controlled the flow of goods into the country formed an importing monopoly that controlled the price of "Grog " !
The world alcohol industry is big and powerful. They spend millions lobbying politicians to enact laws in their favour and we recently saw a tussle to bring Sydney's notorious Kings Cross "Golden Mile " under control. Alarmed by the over use of alcohol and street bashings resulting in death the government imposed lockout laws and earlier closing times. Almost instantly many of the night clubs, bars and "girlie " shows closed their doors as the crowds dwindled.
Alcohol industry money motivated an enquiry that seems destined to roll back many of these restrictions. Sydney's drinking habits changed with the virtual closing of Kings Cross and there is now a wider dispersal of drinking facilities across the city.
Australia conducts a regular five year review of its laws pertaining to alcohol and such a review will soon be underway. A fourteen member panel will scrutinize the guidelines for the National Health and Medical Research Council. The composition of this panel is causing concern.
It seems that two of its members have direct links to temperance organizations which campaign for an alcohol free Australia. This seems to be a contradiction of the hope that any review of the rules that govern alcohol will be made by open minded people who do not have a political axe to grind.
At present, health warnings on alcohol urge people to restrict their alcohol intake to no more than two standard drinks per day. There are rumblings that this review may become captive of anti-alcohol public health activists who may stiffen these public standards and lobby for draconian price increases.
It is almost unthinkable that Australia would even consider the introduction of prohibition. The American experience would ensure that. On October 28, 1919 the Volstead Act came into force, making it illegal to make or sell alcohol in the United States of America. For the next fourteen years defiance of prohibition saw fortunes made as criminal elements fought each other to supply illicit public demand. On December 5, 1933 the US government threw in the towel - and prohibition ended.
We have a similar embargo here in Australia when it comes to narcotic drugs. Despite the best efforts of both customs and the police the rich rewards for supplying an eager public ensure a steady supply. The profit margins dictate that both the risks and penalties are acceptable to the entrepreneurs that run the drug trade.
The alcohol industry is calling on Health Minister, Sussan Ley to rethink the composition of the committee before its work starts. Fair minded people may think that the presence of two anti alcohol advocates on a panel of fourteen achieves balance. It is quite reasonable that both sides of the argument - for and against alcohol - be presented.
The final decision will rest with the parliament. Politicians are a canny lot. The American prohibition chaos will be in their minds as well as the huge impact alcohol taxes have on the Federal budget. They will be well aware of the political impact on voters minds should they impede the supply - or increase the price - of the nation's popular tipple !
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