Minimum (floor) pricing of alcohol

Issue

Draft report: Exploring the public interest case for a minimum (floor) price for alcohol.

Response

There is an increased awareness, both within Australia and internationally, of the effects of harmful alcohol consumption on individuals and communities.

The Australian National Preventive Health Agency (the Agency) has been tasked by the Commonwealth Government to examine the public interest case for a minimum (floor) price for alcohol.

The Agency has taken a consultative, transparent and informed approach to this work to ensure a diverse range of opinions and evidence are considered.

On 19 June 2012, the Agency released an issues paper ‘Exploring the public interest case for a minimum (floor) price for alcohol’ for public consultation. The aim of the issues paper was to promote community discussion on the issue of minimum pricing and provide stakeholders with the opportunity to present their views. Thirty-seven (37) submissions were received from a range of stakeholders.

The issues paper and submissions can be viewed via the Agency’s website.

On 1 November 2012, the Agency released the draft report ‘Exploring the public interest case for a minimum (floor) price for alcohol’ for public consultation. The draft report provides a review of the evidence, and highlights key stakeholder views.

The draft report can also be viewed via the Agency’s website.

The draft report makes the following conclusions:

The Agency advises the Commonwealth Government that a minimum (floor) price for alcohol should not be introduced nationally at this time. Use of such a measure should continue to be considered, where it can be effective, in more local circumstances in Australia.
Based on public health considerations, the Agency finds that the current operation of the Wine Equalisation Tax is of concern and requires reappraisal.
Consistent with the National Alcohol Strategy, the Agency strongly encourages state and territory governments to continue, or to initiate, the collection of wholesale sales data in order to enable and improve the essential research and analysis required to inform evidence-based public policy decisions.

Thirty (30) submissions were received on the draft report from a variety of stakeholders. The Agency is currently developing the final report based on a consideration of the evidence and the views expressed in the submissions. The final report will be provided to the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing in the first quarter of 2013.

Reviewed: 5 March 2013