St. Vincent's Health Australia is calling for higher alcohol taxes, nation-wide lockout laws, and a complete ban on alcohol sponsorship in sport.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Victoria Atkinson says the harm from alcohol drinking is increasing at the moment.
"One in 10 to 1 in 12 emergency department admissions are because of alcohol related disease or injury".
The health provider has issued an election wishlist, proposing a variety of measures to cut alcohol-related harm by 20 per cent within 10 years.
They want Australia's next government to crack down on consumption by adding graphic health warnings, restricting trading hours, and ending all alcohol advertising on free-to-air TV.
"We know that three quarters of the alcohol that we drink are drunk by four million Australians," said Dr Victoria Atkinson.
"So there's a tight target market of people that are creating a lot of harm for themselves and the community. It would be about policing those certain areas that we know are at higher risks - the things that we can control".
St Vincent's says the measures will prevent 30-thousand hospital admissions per year, and three deaths per day. They also hope to introduce a minimum price for alcohol and taxes based on alcohol volume.
The money raised from this would be used to end alcohol-related sponsorship of sporting teams.
"It's quite jarring to see a 10yo with alcohol-related advertising on their chest and just because it has a sporting team attached to it doesnt make it any more palatable," said Dr Atkinson.
The report also calls for the introduction of Sydney-style lockout laws across the country, with bottle shops closing at 10PM, and clubs serving last drinks at 3AM.
The Australian Medical Association supports the move, saying there's strong evidence that thereis a link between a community's access to alcohol, and levels of violence within that community.
While the reforms in Sydney have led to a reduction in alcohol-related violence, they've also prompted widespread protests and a significant downturn in trade.
Keep Sydney Open Campaign Manager Tyson Koh says we shouldn't use a one-size fits all approach.
"We're talking about the entire taxi industry taking a dive, we're talking about music venues," said Mr Koh.
"There was a 40 percent drop in ticket revenues in the year immediately following the introduction of the lockouts.
"We're talking about retail stores, restaurants closing down - the whole city's vibrancy and reputation.
"We need to get everyone around a table and talking about the best way forward," he added.
Share
