Liquor outlet threat

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
4 April 2004

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Liquor outlet threat

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Liquor outlet threat

By Chris Lindsay

A penalty of $12.5 million would be a small price for the people of NSW to pay to stop the spread of liquor outlets and the consequent increase in social dysfunction, says Catholic MLC Dr Peter Wong.

The Federal Government has threatened to penalise the NSW Government $12.5 million each year if it does not deregulate the liquor market according to the national competition policy guidelines.

Dr Wong says a planned ‘social impact assessment’ test before new liquor licences will be issued under the deregulated liquor laws “won’t work”.

Police, welfare organisations, community groups, local councils and crossbenchers in the Legislative Council have expressed grave concerns over the proposed relaxation of the liquor laws, which, says Dr Wong, is at odds with the spirit and findings of the 2003 Alcohol Summit.

The Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, Mons Tony Doherty, says the incidence of underage drinking is one of the most serious pastoral questions now facing Sydney.

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