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Archbishop unhappy about relaxing liquor law on public holidays

Published: February 18, 2013

Relaxation of liquor licensing laws on key public holidays has been labelled a "bad idea" by the  Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge, according to a report by the Courier Mail in the Herald Sun.

The Courier-Mail revealed on Friday that the Newman Government would seek public comment on a 107-page discussion paper about proposed changes to gambling and liquor licensing laws.

The changes being considered include scrapping pub and gambling bans on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Anzac Day, allowing bottle shops to open earlier. The proposals also include increasing maximum bets on poker machines.

Justin O'Connor from the Queensland Hotels Association said it was about reducing red tape and being more "business friendly" but the Catholic Archbishop was not impressed.

"In an increasingly frantic culture, the erosion of rest days like Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Good Friday seems a bad idea," the Most Reverend Coleridge said.

"In a culture where people already drink too much, extending drinking times on these days doesn't look like a great step forward.

"It's hard to think of any good reason why the proposal to extend liquor trading hours on quiet days makes sense."

FULL STORY Archbishop Coleridge unhappy about relaxing liquor law on public holidays (Herald Sun)

 

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Recent Comments

  1. Good to see the Archbishop objecting to this proposed change that would only increase the problem that availability of alcohol is causing in our society.
    We need more of our leaders taking such a stance and being outspoken about it.

  2. I completely agree with Archbishop Mark.
    The only winners in this situation are the Hotels, Clubs and other outlets selling alcohol and promoting gambling.
    The losers are families already stressed out and domestic violence fanned by too much alcohol and crushing debt
    When are we going to learn?

  3. It is not enough our religious leaders making statements and paying lip service to issues.
    What is needed is real leadership in getting people involved and active in fighting these issues that are causing harm and disadvantage to people and the environment not only in our own State and country but all around the world.
    Faith without works is dead. I know it is difficult to get people involved but I also know that ministers have to keep on banging on about issues and if people are lost to the church then they are not there for the right reason in the first place.
    They are not following the teachings of Jesus.

  4. We disagree with the relaxed drinking laws because it will cause more more crime and more substance abuse.

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