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

I thank Senator Fielding for his interest. Senator Fielding of course does touch on a very important matter: there are children out there who suffer child abuse through the effects of alcoholism in the family unit. It is a serious matter. I will take the question on notice and ask Minister Roxon whether she can respond. Clearly, as the minister representing Minister Roxon, I cannot commit to addressing it at COAG, but I am sure she would agree with me that it is a serious matter and I am sure she would encourage the states and territories to address it themselves.