By Amelia Ball
Liquor retailers are celebrating a step in the right direction following a NSW Liquor Act amendment that attempts to put the onus of under-age drinking back onto the individual.
Under-18s who use false ID to get into venues or buy alcohol in NSW now risk being slapped with extended time on their P plates if caught and convicted or presented with penalty notices.
The State Government believes this will deter young people from using false ID as it results in the zero blood alcohol content restriction applying to them for longer as drivers, as well as being faced with other P plate constraints, including restrictions on carrying passengers.
Communicating the new development to the community is the next step, according to Australian Liquor Stores Association (ALSA) CEO Terry Mott.
“If there is now a penalty that is perceived by kids to be significant, it’s an important issue. We support the fact they’ve introduced it but it’s also very important [the Government] publicise it,” Mott said.
“It’s important because it starts to put some of the onus back on the individual and we’ve constantly been telling the Government you cant always blame the industry. Its progress for us and its progress for the community.”
The proposal was first put forward by teenagers involved in a youth binge-drinking forum held in Canberra. The teenagers had conducted their own research and consequently recommended the P plate extension.
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