Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

On what the measure has achieved so far, the excise figures show that, from May to September 2008, total spirits clearances decreased by 9.2 per cent, relative to the same five-month period in 2007. This includes a 40 per cent decrease in alcopops sales and a 19 per cent increase in full-strength spirits sales. What we are doing is taking decisive action in respect of alcopop sales, and the figures underpin that we are achieving some measure of success in this area. Young people are the people who are in the frame for binge drinking or being affected by it. If there are further figures that I can garner out of New South Wales or other state hospital systems to support this, I will. What is clear in the advice from the NHMRC guidelines is that they are— (Time expired)