In advance of the holiday season, a new national strategy is being rolled out to reduce alcohol-related harm.
The national strategy is aimed at improving community safety, increasing awareness of problem alcohol consumption and ensuring more treatment is available. It will also look at the availability and price of alcohol.
However, Health Minister Greg Hunt has pointed out Australia’s taxes on alcohol are already among the highest in the world.
The strategy has come under fire from some stakeholders who are concerned the ministers responsible have been heavily lobbied by the alcohol industry.
