Victorian Auditor-General's Office

Appendix B. Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments

In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 a copy of this report was provided to the Department of Justice, Victoria Police, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, the Department of Health, the Department of Planning and Community Development, the City of Casey Council, the City of Greater Geelong Council, the City of Melbourne Council and Swan Hill Rural City Council with a request for submissions or comments.

Appendix A. Consumption and harm data

Alcohol consumption and economic conditions

Affordability and availability are two of the most important determining factors of alcohol consumption levels. Figure A1 shows the correlation between changes in gross domestic product and estimates of alcohol consumption since 1960–61 in Australia.

Figure A1

Change in per capita alcohol consumption and gross domestic product in Australia

4 Enforcement of liquor legislation

At a glance

Background

Victoria Police and the Compliance Unit are responsible for enforcing the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 and licence conditions.

Conclusion

While Victoria Police and the Compliance Unit are respectively targeting antisocial behaviour and minor breaches of the Act by licensees, there is no whole‑of‑government enforcement strategy to address unlawful supply, which is the cause of much alcohol-related harm.

3 Liquor licensing regime

At a glance

Background

There are particular planning requirements for land used to sell or store liquor. Packaged liquor outlets, hotels, clubs and restaurants selling liquor are required to have both a planning permit from the local council and a liquor licence.

Conclusion

Weaknesses and inconsistencies in the legislation and licensing processes have reduced agencies’ ability to effectively minimise alcohol-related harm.

2 Strategy development, implementation and evaluation

At a glance

Background

The Victorian Alcohol Strategy: Stage One was launched in 2002. It was followed six years later by Restoring the Balance: Victoria's Alcohol Action Plan 2008–13 (VAAP). In 2011, work began on a new alcohol and drug strategy.

Conclusion

Alcohol-related harm has increased over the past decade. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) poorly developed, implemented and evaluated initiatives have not been effective in reversing the trend of increasing harm.

1 Background

1.1 Alcohol consumption

Alcohol is a widely accepted part of Australian culture. It provides enjoyment to consumers and generates positive impacts for the state in the form of revenue and employment. In 2007–08, alcohol sales in the café, bar, catering service and restaurant industry contributed $3.4 billion to the Victorian economy, and employed 80 000 people. The food and wine tourism industry attracted 1.4 million visitors to Victoria in 2009.

Audit summary

Background

Alcohol is a widely accepted part of Australian culture and generates positive impacts for the state in the form of revenue and employment. The number of liquor licences has more than doubled since the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 was introduced. There are now over 19 000 active liquor licences in Victoria.

However, the misuse of alcohol can result in significant short-term and long-term harm for individual drinkers, their families, friends and the wider community.

Appendix B. Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments

In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 a copy of this report was provided to the Department of Health and the four audited health services with a request for submissions or comments.

The submission and comments provided are not subject to audit nor the evidentiary standards required to reach an audit conclusion. Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.

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