Page 1373 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 10 May 1994
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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
CHIEF MINISTER FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION
Question No. 1235
Youth Alcohol Action Plan
MR WESTENDE - Asked the Chief Minister upon notice on 12 April 1994:
In relation to your ministerial statement on the International Year of the Family 1994, delivered to the Assembly on Wednesday, 23 February 1994:
In view of the current crack down in the ACT on under-age drinkers and the funding cuts to the Australian Federal Police, is it possible for the Government to promote the International Year of the Family by actively targeting clubs and bars to close their doors at a more reasonable hour of the morning, say, 2.00 am, rather than allowing them to trade 24 hours a day; if not, why not.
MS FOLLETT - The answer to the member's question is as follows:
The Government views the issue of under-age drinking very seriously and believes that a range of strategies are needed to encourage young people to act responsibly in relation to the use of alcohol.
Included in the strategies recently implemented by the Government are the Youth Alcohol Action Plan, which was launched in November 1993, and the announcement in April 1994 of the introduction of a Proof of Age Card.
The Youth Alcohol Action Plan is to be implemented over a two year period and will include the production by young people of information resources about alcohol; training courses outlining appropriate interventions for those working with young people; promotion of responsible serving of alcohol; and the provision of accessible and appropriate alcohol and drug counselling services for young people and their families.
The Proof of Age Card will be available at low cost through the Motor Vehicle Registry to persons between 18 and 25 years who do not possess a driver's licence. The card will be voluntary and will be used by young people over the age of 18 who wish to purchase alcohol or enter licensed premises.
In regard to the Member's suggestion to reduce the trading hours of clubs and bars, the Government established the ACT Community Safety Committee in
November 1993 to examine issues of public safety with specific reference to the problems concerning the community and alcohol-related crime and anti-social
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