Hundreds of individuals and organisations from across the country have added their voice to the Federal Government’s Inquiry on the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs.
The inquiry is a rare opportunity to share experiences directly with decision makers.
We hear about the negative impact that alcohol has on people’s lives, including homelessness, family and domestic violence, disability and chronic disease.
This federal inquiry, which began in 2024, is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to share their experiences directly with decision-makers.
Every story is valuable. Whether your experience is about seeking support, helping a loved one, advertising and delivery, gendered violence or one of the many other harms from alcohol.
The Inquiry Committee consider every submission and evidence provided in public hearings, when developing its report and recommendations to the government about how to reduce and prevent harm from alcohol.
There is a need to immediately action reforms in this space, and this Inquiry is a long-awaited opportunity to have the government listening directly to communities.
It is vital decision-makers hear from people in our community with lived experience of alcohol harms.
In a public hearing at Parliament House in February 2025, lived experience advocates shared their expertise with the Committee Members.
Advocate Rachel Allen spoke about her son Dylan, who passed away from alcoholic liver disease at 26-years-old, and experienced stigma while seeking treatment and support.
FARE CEO Caterina Giorgi highlighted the stigma around alcohol in society which creates barriers for people to engage, and the responsibility for decision-makers to act when calling on people to re-share their experiences.
In a hearing session on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), advocates Jessica Birch and Angelene Bruce and NOFASD interim CEO Sophie Harrington shared that FASD is often overlooked in discussions of alcohol-related harm and highlighted the need for education, policy reform and sustained investment.
As a final step of the Inquiry, the Committee Secretariat has to formulate a report, which gets approved by all members of the committee.
Inquiry reports are used as a tool by decision makers to better inform their policies.
The Committee Chair will table the report in Parliament. This is expected sometime in 2026.
Inquiry reports have been previously used to support legislation, private members motions and petitions.
FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2025 FARE
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FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2025 FARE
Privacy Statement
T&C
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