LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF QUEENSLAND LAW, JUSTICE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE Inquiry into Alcohol-Related Violence - Final Report March 2010 Report No. 74 LAW, JUSTICE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE 53RD PARLIAMENT CHAIR Ms Barbara Stone MP, Member for Springwood DEPUTY CHAIR Mr Andrew Cripps MP, Member for Hinchinbrook MEMBERS Mr Jarrod Bleijie MP, Member for Kawana Mr Steve Kilburn MP, Member for Chatsworth Mr Aidan McLindon MP, Member for Beaudesert (to 9 February 2010) Mr Ray Stevens MP, Member for Mermaid Beach (from 9 February 2010) Mr Murray Watt MP, Member for Everton Hon. Dean Wells MP, Member for Murrumba RESEARCH DIRECTOR Mr Stephen Finnimore PRINCIPAL RESEARCH OFFICER Ms Amanda Honeyman ACTING EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Ms Karen Hayes (to 10 November 2009) Ms Lynsey Arnott (from 17 November 2009 to 5 February 2010) Copies of this report and other Committee publications are available on the Committee’s website at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/ljsc Law, Justice and Safety Committee Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 Telephone: (07) 3406 7307 Facsimile: (07) 3406 7070 Email:
[email protected] i CHAIR’S FOREWORD Alcohol-related violence is a broad and complex issue that countries around the world are having to tackle. It can take on so many forms including domestic violence, sexual assault and violence in our Indigenous communities. This report does not go into the particular complexities of those important issues but focuses on alcohol related violence around licensed premises, as was the context of the referral given to the Committee given by the Parliament. What has happened to Australia’s drinking culture? Australians were once known for our knock ’em down attitude, and seen as a nation of drinkers who could hold their own when it came to alcohol.