Health groups want underage drinking in pub loophole closed

UNDERAGE children are legally allowed to drink alcohol in Victorian pubs under a loophole health groups are now calling on the State Government to close.

Health groups want a loophole closed that allows underage children to drink alcohol in Victorian pubs. Generic picture: Getty

UNDERAGE children are legally allowed to drink alcohol in Victorian pubs under a loophole health groups are now calling on the State Government to close.

Ending the underage drinking provision is one of a host of reforms lobbyists are pushing for during an extensive review of Victoria’s liquor licensing laws, including the declaration of “alcohol harm zones” where new venues are banned.

Under Victoria’s current legislation pubs can legally serve alcohol to minors if they are having a meal and are accompanied by a guardian who is over 18.

No other Australian state or territory has such a provision, which Foundation for Alcohol and Research Education chief executive Michael Thorn has labelled as “outlandish and archaic”. “More than just this single provision, it speaks volumes about what is wrong with the current legislation,” he said.

“At its heart the Liquor Act should protect families and children throughout Victoria from the very real harm from alcohol, yet here we have a provision that actually allows underage children to drink alcohol in pubs and clubs, something that runs counter to our national drinking guidelines and all of the scientific and medical evidence.”

In making one of 60 submissions to the Andrews Government review, Mr Thorn said the presence of laws allowing underage drinking in the state’s pubs and clubs was proof of how outdated the legislation is.

The Alcohol Policy Coalition also called for the removal of the underage drinking exception, saying it is with evidence that parental supply and alcohol use at a young age are linked to drinking problems later in life.

Even the Australian Hotels Association Victoria has called for a review provisions allowing minors to consume alcohol on licensed premises “under certain circumstances”, while Victoria’s Red Tape Commissioner said guidance relating to “minors on premises” is too complex and ambiguous.

While she would not comment on specific issues while the Liquor Control Reform Act review continued, Liquor and Gaming Regulation Minister Marlene Kairouz promised it would thoroughly examine the state’s liquor laws.

“With this review we are seeking to strike a balance between reducing alcohol related harm and ensuring the current laws are up to date,” she said.

The review is the first significant examination of Victoria’s liquor laws in 18 years.

Health lobbyists have called for an overhaul of the laws to address domestic violence issues and the saturation of licenses in certain areas, including the declaration of “alcohol harm zones” to freeze new licenses in problem areas.

Moves to ban alcohol advertising at sporting evens and within 150m of schools have also been mooted.

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