The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) fears the NSW Government will end up regretting the day it rolled back Sydney’s late-night alcohol measures.
“This is a reckless and populist decision that will only make alcohol more accessible, inevitably resulting in higher levels of consumption, which the science has proven causes greater harm,” said FARE Policy Director Trish Hepworth.
“The fallout from this decision will reverberate through families and communities in Sydney, as well as in every town and rural community across NSW – not only impacting drinkers, but their children, spouses, friends, colleagues, strangers,” Ms Hepworth said.
FARE has particular concerns that both last-drinks and trading hours for bottle shops are being extended and expanded beyond Sydney’s entertainment precincts.
“Delaying the decision to relax alcohol trading and sales until after the busy festive season, smacks of tacit acknowledgement that greater alcohol-fuelled harm is on the horizon,” Ms Hepworth said.
