Each day, NSW surgeons witness what is primarily a preventable burden of NSW alcohol related harm. Effective alcohol related harm reduction requires law/health/safety obligations being mutually acknowledged by the NSW Minister responsible for the regulation of alcohol and gambling, and by the NSW Minister of Health.
RACS notes that the NSW Liquor Act and the proposed draft 2020 Bill contain provisions which fail to meet this expectation, and neglects other meritorious amendments – potentially to the overall net detriment of the NSW public, especially the most powerless, disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our community.
We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the NSW Government to inject into the draft Bill, a better balance between the private commercial interests of the powerful alcohol lobby and the public interest.