The Australian National Preventative Health Agency has proposed new national minimum alcohol pricing in an attempt to combat the social problems associated with alcohol abuse.
 

The Australian Hotels Association has opposed the idea, which they believe will have a negative effect on moderate drinkers rather than discouraging those who abuse it. Those who are misusing alcohol are likely to continue doing so, regardless of an increase in price, is what the AHA is arguing.
 

The AHA has also urged the government to look at the effect this concept has had on other countries that have introduced it, such as Scotland before rolling it out in Oz. The AHA also warned that the last thing we need right now is more financial strain, which is what this would mean. The group stressed the need for a more targeted approach to combat problem drinking rather than drinkers in general.
 

This post on TheSHout.com.au has more:
 

The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) has urged the Federal Government to reject a national minimum alcohol price being considered by its new preventative health agency.
 

 The AHA has submitted its response to the Australian National Preventative Health Agency (ANPHA) issues paper on minimum pricing, highlighting a lack of evidence supporting the concept and concerns about the impact on the hospitality sector.
 

 “The introduction of a floor price would force up drink prices across the spectrum as brands reposition themselves and impact on the majority of moderate consumers rather than on problem drinkers,” said AHA National CEO Des Crowe.
 

 “All the available evidence indicates that a minimum price would have the biggest impact on the vast majority of people who consume alcohol responsibly and in moderation, while harmful drinkers are less likely to change their drinking patterns in response to price changes.
 

 “The AHA has provided its submission urging the Federal Government to first observe the impact and results of the recently-legislated Scottish 50-pence minimum standard drink price before considering options for adopting such a radical policy here in Australia.
 

 “Governments always promote the need for evidence-based policy, and on this issue the evidence suggests a floor price would mean more financial pain for everyone without addressing the harmful drinkers that are the intended target of the exercise.
 

 “There are legitimate concerns in some communities about the availability of cheap alcohol to at-risk groups, but there is no justification for a national response to a localised problem.
 

 “Addressing harmful drinking requires a more sophisticated approach than just jacking prices up. Interventions must be targeted towards actual problem drinkers rather than on the vast majority of responsible consumers.”
 

 The Australian Liquor Stores Association’s submission will be available in the coming weeks.
 

Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2012/08/06/article/Minimum-pricing-would-floor-pubs-AHA/QCGHWMXNUE.html

 

Authorities have identified alcohol as the main contributor to the violence in many entertainment areas such as the Kings Cross District. While it is obvious that a solution is needed whether or not a minimum pricing would solve the problem remains to be seen.
 

Late trading hours and lack of public transport are just a few of the issues that have been pointed out as making areas such as Kings Cross so conducive to violence and authorities have been urged to address these problems.
 

There is no doubt that increased policing in the area needs to be implemented by authorities, but more importantly the problem of providing alcohol to these criminals in the first place needs to be addressed.  This is where Responsible Service of Alcohol becomes so crucial. The main problem with alcohol at the moment is its abuse and its availability. For any significant change to be seen authorities, venue owners and servers of alcohol need to address this issue.
 

According to the law all workers nvolved in the alcohol service industry need to be appropriately trained. This involves receiving RSA training, which will teach you how to deal with intoxicated customers and the basics of how to serve alcohol responsibly. Luckily the RSA course is available conveniently online, so workers need not take time off work but rather can complete the course from the comfort of their home. This course will leave you well equipped to handle the challenges of alcohol service and will enable you to comply with alcohol service regulation.
 

Posted by Peter Cutforth