How do local governments respond to alcohol-related harm?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-02-02 05:00

Australia; NSW; VIC

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Local Governments recognise the long-term health harms of alcohol but most will prioritise short-term interventions, according to Aussie researchers who interviewed representatives from local governments in Victoria. The team found that governments prioritise alcohol interventions that target violence and crime over the longer-term health impacts such as cancer, which may reflect the attitudes widely held by the Australian public. The researchers suggest changes to Victorian planning and liquor licensing legislation to give additional powers to local governments, and pre-developed alcohol programs with dedicated funding should be considered.