The federal government's decision to defund the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia is "short-sighted" at a time when Australia is "wallowing" in alcohol abuse, the council says.
The funding withdrawal in November had "destroyed" the organisation, ADCA says in a submission to a Senate committee on the government's commission of audit that calls for funding to be restored.
The non-government organisation was caught unawares by the government's decision because it had been previously promised funding, it says.
"This was disingenuous to say the least," the council said.
"The government's decision will ultimately prove to be short-sighted and ill-considered."
ADCA says the recent spate of alcohol-related violence over the holiday period highlighted the seriousness of the government's funding cut.
"There is no clearer example of the need for an organisation like ADCA than the current situation in which Australia finds itself - a nation wallowing in alcohol with a failure of leadership to address the critical issues of price, accessibility and advertising of alcohol products."
ADCA is calling on the government to review its decision and restore funding until after the commission of audit is completed.
The council has operated since 1966, providing research and advocacy relating to the health, economic and social harm caused by alcohol and other drugs.
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