YET again Fr Kevin Ryan (Real Life, CL 25/10/09) confronts a significant issue that most of our politicians and public commentators avoid giving recognition to.
The excesses in the consumption of alcohol are directly and undeniably related to the extended trading hours approved for hotels and nightclubs by successive Labor governments here in Queensland.
With the “drink till you drop” concessions introduced in the not-so-smart state has come increased revenue to state administrations and political support for those who catered for liquor outlets and their gambling facilities.
For the police and the public have come more violence, drug distribution, contamination of our youth and all of the health consequences from the trading from early morning to sunrise the following day.
Will the leadership of Church and the responsible political element rid Queensland of politicians who indulge the merchants of what King O’Malley termed “stagger juice”?
Wake up Queenslanders.
TOM KING
Brisbane, Qld
