[Greens-Media] Iemma too close to pubs and clubs to stop alcohol draining police resources

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media release - 17 September 2007

Iemma too close to pubs and clubs to stop alcohol draining police resources 

Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today called on Premier Iemma to ban donations from the pubs and clubs industry, following today's release of research by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) into police resources spent on alcohol-related crime

"This report shows that alcohol-related crime is a huge drain on police resources, suggesting that the Iemma government is failing to deal with the alcohol industry and the violent, anti-social behaviour fuelled by excessive drinking", said Ms Rhiannon. 

"NSW Labor appear to have a cosy relationship with the hotel and club industry. During the past 8 years, NSW Labor has received $3.03 million from individual hotels and clubs and over $525,000 from the Australian Hotels Association.

"The Iemma government are quick to beat the tough-on-drugs drum but alcohol-related crime is the elephant in the room. 

"At the 2003 NSW Alcohol Summit, then NSW Commissioner of Police Mr Ken Maroney estimated that up to 75 percent of the workload of the NSW Police was spent on people intoxicated with alcohol. 

"Despite this admission, the government pledged to spend less than one tenth of the amount that was put into drug programs following the 1999 NSW Drug Summit.

"It is no surprise that alcohol-related crime continues to soar. 

"According to the report, NSW Police spend at least $50 million a year dealing with alcohol-related crime. This money would pay the annual salaries of around 1000 fulltime police officers in NSW.

"The Greens call on the government to ban donations from the alcohol industry and to ban alcohol advertising promotions that encourage excessive drinking. 

"Taxing alcohol is one of the most effective ways to reduce alcohol consumption. The Greens call for the reform of alcohol taxation so that the tax rate is based on alcohol content rather than beverage type. This income should be funnelled into alcohol and drug education and treatment", said Ms Rhiannon.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568 

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research report Estimating the short-term cost of police time spent dealing with alcohol-related crime in NSW is available at www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au .