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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 11 Hansard (12 December) . . Page.. 2906 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

I have already discussed some options which are being considered by the Government and the Manuka safety committee as alternatives for young people to drinking. But, clearly, the practice of under-age drinking will not cease as a result of these measures alone. At the present time a police officer or liquor licensing inspector can request the name, age and address of a person suspected of an offence against the under-age drinking laws, or if they are suspected of being in a licensed premises when not in the care of a responsible adult.

I will introduce an amendment which will seek to extend this power to situations where the police or licensing inspectors have reasonable grounds to suspect that a person is using false identification to obtain liquor, enter premises or obtain a proof of age card. Some enterprising young people still seek to obtain false ID through various methods. No matter how tough laws are, there are always some who will continue to take the risk of using a false ID. They need to be aware that using a false ID is a criminal offence punishable on conviction by a $1,000 fine, and they need to be aware that police and licensing inspectors will not hesitate to bring charges against people who use those false IDs. We would rather young people not play that game.

The Territory depends on encouraging growth in the private sector, particularly small businesses. The Government recognises the substantial employment base provided by small businesses and sees the liquor industry no differently in that process. We also see the effects of selling alcohol as being quite different to the effects of selling many other goods and services. Alcohol, as I said, is a drug. Its responsible use is encouraged, and the effects of its irresponsible use are seen by all of us from time to time.

The measures I am announcing today start a process aimed at making this summer a safer one on our streets. We are aiming to put in place in the first instance measures which will avoid the issue of restricted trading hours being put on the table; but I do foreshadow, as I did to the industry recently, that, if these measures do not show demonstrable results, then closing times will be back on the agenda after this summer. The Government makes no apology for taking a very tough stand against drink-driving. Canberrans seem to have a very blase attitude when it comes to drinking and driving, so if we cannot stop drivers doing it we will expect them to pay heavily when they are caught.

Overall, the package of measures I am announcing today is responsible, because it aims to work cooperatively with industry on the problems caused by alcohol; but it is also tough on those who continue to break the law. Our message to them this summer is that if you want to spoil it for everyone else in Canberra the Government will spoil it for you. The Government also sees a valuable role for education campaigns to be undertaken over the summer period to make people aware of the dangers of alcohol abuse, to make people understand the responsible serving of alcohol and to make the community aware that the Government will be seeking compliance with existing laws.

I thank members of the Liquor Licensing Board, the Australian Federal Police, the Attorney-General's Department and the Department of Urban Services for developing this package of measures, which I believe is comprehensive and will provide for a determined indication from the Government, and I hope the rest of the Assembly, that we are serious on the unacceptability in our community of drink-driving.

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