Child Psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg and Generation Next speaker has called on the Victorian Premier John Brumby to take action on the issue of ‘secondary supply’ of alcohol.

Addressing an “Urban Conversation” event held at a Melbourne High School recently, he suggested that Victoria enact “secondary supply” laws, similar to those already in place in New South Wales, which would make it illegal for adults to supply anyone underage with alcohol without the written consent of their parents.

Burnet Institute research found under-age drinkers were twice as likely to over-indulge when obtaining booze from sources other than parents.

Victorian Police Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana acknowledged that alcohol was the major factor in the dramatic increase in violence on the streets of Melbourne.

Dr Carr-Gregg said “”I have clients who for example are absolutely outraged that their children at 13, 14, 15, have gone to a party and the adults there are quite happy to serve them alcohol”.

Dr Carr-Gregg’s address is summarised below:

“Secondary supply” generally refers to the sale or supply of alcohol to people under the age of 18 years (minors) by adults or other minors. It is illegal under licensing law in all jurisdictions for licensed premises in Victoria to serve minors and for adults to purchase alcohol on behalf of minors.

However, the situation in private homes and at private functions is less clear. Currently in Victoria it is not illegal for adults to provide alcohol to minors in a private residence, even if the minors are not their own children.
 
“Secondary supply” refers to this situation: the supply of alcohol to minors in private homes, potentially by adults other than their parents.

The reason why this “secondary supply” is so important is that this is the main way that minors obtain their alcohol. Almost 40% of under-age drinkers get their supply of alcohol from their parents, and only 5% buy it themselves.

The new draft National Health and Medical Research Centre (NHMRC) guidelines recommend that “not drinking is the safest option for 15-17 year olds” and children under 15 should not drink any alcohol.

Traditionally, it has been considered the right of parents to decide when and how their children first try alcohol. The “Mediterranean model” of introducing alcohol to young people, where they are gradually allowed to drink small amounts in the presence of their parents, has been popular with many parents.

However, the increasing level of binge and under-age drinking in Australia suggests that this has not worked. Loopholes in the current Victorian laws allow adults other than a child’s parents to provide them with alcohol without the parents’ consent if in a private residence.

Regulating secondary supply aims to prevent this happening by providing a deterrent for adults to supply alcohol, and to support families affected by providing a legal course of action for them to pursue if appropriate.

A person aged 18 or older who buys or supplies alcohol for an under-age person on licensed premises can face an on-the-spot fine of more than $600.

Why is it that Qld and Tasmania both changed the law last year to prevent minors being given alcohol by an adult other than their parents (or equivalents) but Victoria refuses to offer that protection?

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha
Source: Kids Free2B Kids. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg