Obesity is a national health crisis, Government needs to act
December 8, 2016Federal Government cries poor but overall health funding is stable
December 14, 2016AMA (NSW) President, Prof Brad Frankum, says extending the opening hours for takeaway alcohol sales is a mistake that will lead to more violence.
“The Callinan recommendations regarding the lockout laws and closing times for pubs and clubs in inner Sydney are well-reasoned.
“They are a compromise solution that will ensure people can seek entertainment, while reducing the threat of alcohol-fuelled violence.
“However, extending opening hours for bottle shops to 11pm and home delivery to midnight is another matter.
“There is clear international evidence showing that availability of alcohol is linked with violence.
“The greater the availability of alcohol, the greater the incidence of violence,” Prof Frankum said.
“The lockout laws and the restrictions on the sale of takeaway alcohol have saved lives and prevented people being assaulted.
“People have a right to safety and these laws have been very successful in protecting that right.
“It was only a few years ago that things were so bad that overwhelming popular opinion prompted the Government to action on this.
“We should not be forgetting why these laws exist in the first place so quickly,” Prof Frankum said.
Media contact: Lachlan Jones 0419 402 955