Australia: Alcohol plan to tackle domestic violence

Australia: Alcohol plan to tackle domestic violence

9 News

June 17, 2015

Governments across the country are being urged to consider using an alcohol levy to pay for the cost of family violence on the community.

The idea is contained in a new 20-point framework by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, launched by domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty in Canberra on Wednesday.

Other ideas include reducing the availability of alcohol by restricting trading hours and ending all 24-hour liquor licences.

A court-based sobriety program requiring offenders to undergo two breath tests a day or wear a continuous monitoring bracelet has also been suggested.

The foundation’s chief executive Michael Thorn has written to Prime Minister Tony Abbott asking for the plan to be put to the next meeting of state and territory leaders.

Mr Thorn said alcohol was a very big factor when it came to domestic violence.

“We think that by attacking that particular pressure point we can not only reduce the incidents but also the severity,” he told AAP.

Alcohol is involved in up to 65 per cent of family violence incidents reported to police.

It was consumed by the perpetrator in more than a third of intimate partner homicides.

Six months after being named Australian of the Year, Ms Batty said governments were showing genuine intent but needed to start taking action.

“Alcohol is a significant factor to all forms of violence, so what we really have to do is acknowledge that and work towards some solutions,” she said.