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

I thank Senator Fielding for his question. I understand it is in two parts. The first part relates to the troubling issue of what states and territories have to deal with in terms of excessive consumption of alcohol and the resultant problems that creates, both for the policing and the hospital admissions that occur as a result of that, particularly in the Newcastle area. The second part relates to closing hours, which, as I understand it, is a matter that the states and territories deal with. Senator Fielding seems to be inter-relating those two questions to be able to provide a base for a position that is being put about the health effects of excessive consumption of alcohol.

The Gillard Labor government has been addressing the substantive issues around the primary matter dealing specifically with health in relation to the effects of alcoholism, including the work that we have done around health and hospital funds and being able to provide additional work for the hospital system. But in terms of the specifics of the question, I will take it on notice. I will see if Minister Roxon can add to the answer and whether or not we can provide any additional information to Senator Fielding. I would add, though, that I think it relates more to the trading hours of particular establishments. It is a matter that I may not be able to ask the minister to provide additional information on. Nonetheless, I will see what the minister can respond to from the question asked by Senator Fielding.