Page 1650 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 18 May 1994
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I think it is very important, Madam Speaker, that we include the aged. In my discussions with Mr Connolly he agreed that his original public statement about it being limited to 25-year-olds would not be carried through, but if somebody wishes to have a voluntary proof of age card they will be able to apply for one in the normal way. Madam Speaker, the report then goes on to say:
8.5 Committee members were divided on the matter of a proof of age card for young people. A majority of the Committee supported the concept of a proof of age card for young people for such reasons as:
. the card was voluntary;
. the card made it easier for licensees to demand 'no proof no purchase' if the card was an acceptable form of photographic ID, thereby curbing underage drinking; and
. the card would be difficult to forge because of its issuing by Government.
8.6 A minority of the Committee opposed the introduction of a proof of age card for young people on the basis that:
. there is no formal evaluation of the card's effectiveness;
. there is no uniformity in the card's administration and issuing in other jurisdictions;
. the card would be another source for possible forgery among the already existing forged IDs;
. the card does not address the underlying causes of underage drinking -
that is the most powerful argument -
. the card may be demanded or used as proof of identity - it would be against criminal law policy to demand the card as proof of identity; and
. there were issues of concern of the proof of age card as proposed by the Attorney-General's Department such as the need for parental/guardian approval to support person's proof of age despite the target population being over 18 years of age.
Madam Speaker, some of those issues have been addressed by the Attorney-General. I would like to discuss what I mentioned was the strongest argument, and that is that the card does not address the underlying causes of under-age drinking. Madam Speaker, the select committee report Alcohol and Youth was subtitled A Rite of Passage?. It seems to
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