Wright, Sen Penny

Senator WRIGHT (South Australia) (01:13): Given the lateness of the hour, I do not necessarily expect the answer to this question now. I accept that this is a serious issue and that communities want assistance, which were your words, in dealing with alcohol dependence and abuse. But I would be interested if the minister could tell me what evidence there is that more punitive consequences for alcohol use are actually effective in preventing the problem. I would be happy for that to be taken on notice, given the lateness of the hour, if that is appropriate.