❓ Dr. Walker questions the Cook Labor government's commitment to tackling alcohol abuse, referencing US trends and potential lobbying against cannabis legalisation. The government affirms its commitment to harm reduction but defers to the federal government on taxation.
AnsweredQoN 1183Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Alcohol consumption—Taxation
1183. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister
to recent news that the United States has achieved its lowest rate of alcohol
consumption since the 1950s, with 46% of the population recorded as non-drinkers,
while cannabis consumption rates have either risen or remained steady in the states
in which the healing herb is legal.
(1) Is the Cook Labor government committed to
tackling alcohol abuse in Western Australia?
(2) If yes to (1), what is it doing to actively
combat this scourge?
(3) Has the government been lobbied by any sector
of the alcohol industry to resist the concept of cannabis legalisation for fear
of a drop in both the corporate and taxation revenue generated by alcohol?
1183. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister
to recent news that the United States has achieved its lowest rate of alcohol
consumption since the 1950s, with 46% of the population recorded as non-drinkers,
while cannabis consumption rates have either risen or remained steady in the states
in which the healing herb is legal.
(1) Is the Cook Labor government committed to
tackling alcohol abuse in Western Australia?
(2) If yes to (1), what is it doing to actively
combat this scourge?
(3) Has the government been lobbied by any sector
of the alcohol industry to resist the concept of cannabis legalisation for fear
of a drop in both the corporate and taxation revenue generated by alcohol?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. Part (3) of the question is
not marked, although the question is there. I believe that the answer that I
will provide on behalf of the minister covers all three parts of the question.
The following answer has been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) The Cook Labor government is
committed to decreasing the harms associated with alcohol use, including harms
to others, aligned with the national harm minimisation framework. Comprehensive
approaches include across-government initiatives to reduce harms and strategies
targeting prevention, early intervention, community-based treatment and
support, specialist services and law enforcement.
The Australian alcohol taxation
system is the responsibility of the federal government.
The President: I really hope, honourable member, that
the questions from here on in do not breach standing order 105.
honourable member for some notice of the question. Part (3) of the question is
not marked, although the question is there. I believe that the answer that I
will provide on behalf of the minister covers all three parts of the question.
The following answer has been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) The Cook Labor government is
committed to decreasing the harms associated with alcohol use, including harms
to others, aligned with the national harm minimisation framework. Comprehensive
approaches include across-government initiatives to reduce harms and strategies
targeting prevention, early intervention, community-based treatment and
support, specialist services and law enforcement.
The Australian alcohol taxation
system is the responsibility of the federal government.
The President: I really hope, honourable member, that
the questions from here on in do not breach standing order 105.
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