Government’s alcohol inquiry to focus on Indigenous communities – SBS

17 FEB 2014

The Abbott government has confirmed it will go ahead with an inquiry into alcohol use in Indigenous communities.

Despite originally being heralded as an inquiry into alcohol related violence after the death of a Sydney teenager from a king-hit punch, a government review has been narrowed to look at alcohol use in Indigenous communities.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion said it was a matter of urgency.

“This is about poverty not ethnicity,” Minister Scullion said. “But I acknowledge there are – have always been – and we haven’t really seen a break – particularly with reports of domestic violence, defence injuries, alcohol deaths or alcohol through cars and violence.”

Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/02/17/governments-alcohol-inquiry-focus-indigenous-communities