Alcohol reform 'not enough'

The Government must go further on alcohol law reform, says The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Photo / Babiche Martens

The Government must go further on alcohol law reform, a psychiatry group says.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists said there was nothing in the Government's recent proposals which would make substantial difference to binge drinking.

The Alcohol Reform Bill, which passed its first reading last month, gives local authorities strong powers to decide licensing regimes, proposes splitting the purchase age to 18 for bars and 20 for supermarkets and liquor stores and extends the description of public places where drinking can be banned.