Comments on: Nation under the influence http://www.rossfitzgerald.com/2009/08/nation-under-the-influence/ Historian, author, and columnist with The Australian newspaper Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:27:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sarah Wilson http://www.rossfitzgerald.com/2009/08/nation-under-the-influence/comment-page-1/#comment-3050 Sarah Wilson Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:10:12 +0000 http://www.rossfitzgerald.com/?p=127#comment-3050 I loved your book "Under the Influence". one of my favorite books so far. keep up the great writing. I loved your book “Under the Influence”.

one of my favorite books so far.

keep up the great writing.

]]> By: James Dawson http://www.rossfitzgerald.com/2009/08/nation-under-the-influence/comment-page-1/#comment-3049 James Dawson Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:34:18 +0000 http://www.rossfitzgerald.com/?p=127#comment-3049 Re UNDER THE INFLUENCE I really loved this book. It was full of insights into the history and social aspects of alcohol in Australia. I read it almost in one go it was that fascinating! James Dawson Re UNDER THE INFLUENCE

I really loved this book.

It was full of insights into the history and social aspects of alcohol in Australia. I read it almost in one go it was that fascinating!

James Dawson

]]> By: The Brisbane Times http://www.rossfitzgerald.com/2009/08/nation-under-the-influence/comment-page-1/#comment-2986 The Brisbane Times Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:33:49 +0000 http://www.rossfitzgerald.com/?p=127#comment-2986 Premier Anna Bligh on Sunday unveiled her plan to tackle alcohol-related violence in the state's most troubled entertainment precincts, Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, the Gold Coast and Townsville. The measures include extra police, bans on troublemakers and safe drinking zones, but do not include reducing trading hours. The Government adopted - or supported in principle - 58 of 68 recommendations made by a parliamentary committee, but some licensees, prosecutors, parents and the police union have criticised the plan for being too soft. A former alcoholic and author on the issue, Professor Ross Fitzgerald, said the government had failed to address culture links with alcohol. Professor Fitzgerald, a columnist for The Weekend Australian who is now an emeritus professor with Griffith University, this year published his memoir My Name is Ross:An Alcoholic's Journey revealing a 10-year battle with the bottle. He also co-authored this year, Under the Influence: A History of Alcohol in Australia, which will form a basis for his talks at the Brisbane Writer's Festival this week. Professor Fitzgerald said while he supported many of the measures the government would implement, there were no real solutions. "They're only band-aid solutions," Professor Fitzgerald said. "Alcohol is by far the most dangerous drug in our community, without a doubt. "It's extremely important that the government be proactive in terms of education. "You need to change the culture towards alcohol and [the Pinkie advertising campaign] is a very big example of a social shift." Professor Fitzgerald said the Bligh Government needed to "bite the bullet" and take on the liquor industry, banning advertising in sport and before 9.30pm, and introducing a tax based on the alcoholic content of drinks. The government also should legislate against glass in the most dangerous licensed premises and cut back licensed premises' trading hours. "A lot of people say you don't change behaviour by changing the law, that's not true," Professor Fitzgerald said. "Changes in drink driving legislation have produced a tremendous social shift. "While 25 years ago it was OK for people to be pissed while behind the wheel of a car, now, 99 per cent of people think it's absolutely 'verboten' to drink drive." The Brisbane Times, September 1, 2010 Premier Anna Bligh on Sunday unveiled her plan to tackle alcohol-related violence in the state’s most troubled entertainment precincts, Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, the Gold Coast and Townsville.

The measures include extra police, bans on troublemakers and safe drinking zones, but do not include reducing trading hours.

The Government adopted – or supported in principle – 58 of 68 recommendations made by a parliamentary committee, but some licensees, prosecutors, parents and the police union have criticised the plan for being too soft.

A former alcoholic and author on the issue, Professor Ross Fitzgerald, said the government had failed to address culture links with alcohol.

Professor Fitzgerald, a columnist for The Weekend Australian who is now an emeritus professor with Griffith University, this year published his memoir My Name is Ross:An Alcoholic’s Journey revealing a 10-year battle with the bottle.

He also co-authored this year, Under the Influence: A History of Alcohol in Australia, which will form a basis for his talks at the Brisbane Writer’s Festival this week.

Professor Fitzgerald said while he supported many of the measures the government would implement, there were no real solutions.

“They’re only band-aid solutions,” Professor Fitzgerald said.

“Alcohol is by far the most dangerous drug in our community, without a doubt.

“It’s extremely important that the government be proactive in terms of education.

“You need to change the culture towards alcohol and [the Pinkie advertising campaign] is a very big example of a social shift.”

Professor Fitzgerald said the Bligh Government needed to “bite the bullet” and take on the liquor industry, banning advertising in sport and before 9.30pm, and introducing a tax based on the alcoholic content of drinks.

The government also should legislate against glass in the most dangerous licensed premises and cut back licensed premises’ trading hours.

“A lot of people say you don’t change behaviour by changing the law, that’s not true,” Professor Fitzgerald said.

“Changes in drink driving legislation have produced a tremendous social shift.

“While 25 years ago it was OK for people to be pissed while behind the wheel of a car, now, 99 per cent of people think it’s absolutely ‘verboten’ to drink drive.”

The Brisbane Times, September 1, 2010

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