Letters
Substance‐related disorders
Volume 190 - Issue 12

Alcohol taxation policy in Australia: public health imperatives for action

Author:  Helena J Teede

Med J Aust 2009; 190 (12): 714-716. || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02650.x
Published online: 15 June 2009
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To the Editor: I write in response to the article by Skov on alcohol taxation policy,1 and in the context of the recent defeat of the “alcopops” tax legislation, which is soon to be reintroduced to the Australian Senate.

Our democratic political system has held us in relatively good stead, with a reliable system of checks and balances. However, the rejection of the alcopops legislation arguably represents a failure of democracy and a retrograde step for public health, defeating the first Australian public health-centred alcohol tax policy. For this, Senator Fielding and the Opposition should be held accountable.

Yes, the tax is not all encompassing, and expansion to broader initiatives, as proposed by Senator Fielding, is not without merit. However, health experts supported the alcopops tax initiative as an important first step, as outlined in Skov’s evidence-based article.1 Skov highlighted the key issues, including that alcohol-related harm is at unacceptable levels, that action is overdue, and that good evidence from Australia and internationally supports taxation and pricing as being among the most effective measures to reduce alcohol consumption and harm.1,2 Overall, the positives of this initiative clearly outweigh the negatives, and defeating it was arguably naïve and ill informed.

Historically, both policy and funding are crucial to public health successes. Following awareness of the problem, change must start somewhere, before broadening over time to deliver health benefits (eg, smoking, seatbelts, speeding — all crucial and effective public health campaigns). The most important aspect of the alcopops tax initiative is likely to be that it is a start and a successful avenue to raise revenue. Extension to a full alcohol content-based tax, education, incentives and regulations will come — but much more belatedly now.

The defeat of the alcopops tax legislation has threatened this opportunity to significantly contribute to the fight against alcohol misuse. While opposition is by definition the trademark of Opposition parties, bipartisanship should prevail when community benefits are clear. Perhaps more concerning is that a single politician holding the balance of power can disregard history, expert opinion and popular support, and defeat important public health-centred legislation.

The manipulation of our political system with the rejection of the alcopops tax legislation was profoundly disappointing. This initiative should not be defeated again. Our politicians should take heed of history, evidence, expert opinion and public sentiment and vote in the nation’s interest to support the alcopops tax legislation on its return to the Senate.

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