Alcopops Flavoured Alcoholic Drinks
Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes: My question is directed to Minister for Primary Industries, representing the Minister for Gaming and Racing. Is the Minister aware of a recent study conducted by Choice magazine that found that ready-to-drink alcoholic drinks are the most popular type of alcohol for teenagers, with one in four teenagers unable to taste the difference between the deceptive Alcopops and soft drinks? Is the Minister aware of a recent report conducted by the Australia National Council on Drugs that stated:
Overall among 12 to 17 year olds, 1 in 10 high-school students report binge-drinking in any given week and that the problem has been allowed to reach such plague proportions because most Australians consider drinking and drug use by young people to be a normal activity and as a right of passage to adulthood.
As Prime Minister Rudd voiced his concerns about the epidemic of binge drinking across the country, will the Minister indicate what new regulatory measures are in place to ban Alcopops or to tighten Alcopop marketing among young people?
The Hon. Ian MacDonald: The question refers to matter of great concern, and I will refer it to the Minister responsible for an expeditious reply.
Deferred answer to Alcopops Flavoured Alcoholic Drinks
On 5 March 2008 the Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked the Minister for Primary Industries, representing the Minister for Gaming and Racing, a question without notice regarding Alcopops flavoured alcoholic drinks. The Minister for Gaming and Racing provided the following response:
Yes.
Yes.
The new liquor laws which commence on 1 July 2008 will allow action to be taken to declare specified liquor products to be undesirable liquor products, to restrict or prohibit the sale or supply of undesirable liquor products and to restrict or prohibit the undesirable promotion of liquor.