By Ian Neubauer
Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson said the Coalition would introduce a bill to make sure monies already collected from the tax hike are spent on reducing alcohol-related harm.
“I will introduce into the Senate a bill which will make sure that that $200 to $300 million is fully placed into a fund that is independently administered to support alcohol education, prevention and treatment and other programs,” he said. “It’s very important that that money that’s already been collected actually go into addressing the problem of alcohol abuse, the education of young people and the support of rehabilitation programs around Australia.”
He said the money already collected needs to be quarantined and administered independently by a board that can fully fund and support alcohol education treatment and rehabilitation programs.
“I have already instructed the drafters to prepare legislation along these lines and we will be very happy to negotiate with the Government and minor parties in the Senate in relation to it,” he said.
Nelson added that the Coalition was working on around 30 new proposals to address the problem of alcohol abuse. They will be made public within the next couple of months.
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