Roadmap for action: Dr Monique Ryan responds to the Parliamentary Health Committee's new report into alcohol and other drug impacts

Independent Member for Kooyong and Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability, Dr Monique Ryan MP, has welcomed the release of the Committee's report into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs, describing it as an important roadmap for reducing harm and strengthening Australia's treatment and prevention systems. 

The Committee received 98 submissions and conducted eight days of public hearings to examine the scale and complexity of alcohol and other drug harm across Australia. Its report makes 28 recommendations spanning prevention, treatment, workforce development, data collection, First Nations health, alcohol advertising, online alcohol sales and future national strategies.  

Dr Ryan: "Alcohol and other drug harm affect our health system, our justice system, our families and our communities. This report recognises that we need a coordinated, evidence-based response across prevention, treatment and recovery." 

Dr Ryan also provided supplementary comments to the report, focused on areas where further action is immediately required. One key concern raised in these comments is the need to develop the workforce capacity of Australia's alcohol and other drug treatment system to match the demands placed on it. 

"Every year, hundreds of thousands of Australians are unable to access the alcohol and other drug treatment they need. Investment in workforce development has been identified as a priority by the committee, but the report's recommendations don't go far enough.  

"We need much greater investment to close the gap between the demand we know is out there, and the availability of high-intensity treatment options like inpatient detox and residential rehabilitation. A national audit of treatment capacity should be funded to work hand in glove with workforce measures recommended by the Committee," says Dr Ryan. 

The inquiry also highlighted the need for greater transparency around the role that vested interests are playing in the development of policies which address alcohol harm. 

Dr Ryan: "Australians expect health policy to be guided by evidence and developed in the public interest. It’s alarming to learn that alcohol and gambling companies, as well as lobby groups, donated more than $5.5 million to political parties in 2024-25.  

"It's little wonder we aren't able to adequately tackle the well documented health impacts of alcohol when enormous donations are buying access and goodwill from the big political parties." 

The Committee recommended that Treasury model potential changes to alcohol taxation settings. Dr Ryan said this work should be undertaken as a matter of priority: 

"Australia's current alcohol taxation arrangements are inconsistent, inefficient and do not adequately reflect health harms. The Wine Equalisation Tax continues to favour the production of low-cost wine. As numerous government reviews have recommended, including the Henry Tax Review, it should ultimately be replaced by a uniform volumetric taxation system. 

"We should be prepared to consider policies that are proven to reduce alcohol-related harm. The Northern Territory's experience with minimum unit pricing deserves careful consideration as part of a broader discussion about alcohol reform." 

Dr Ryan said the Committee's report arrives at a critical moment, with the current National Drug Strategy due to expire this year.  

"This report provides a strong foundation for action. The Government should respond constructively to its recommendations and provide clarity about the next National Drug Strategy, its funding and implementation. 

"Alcohol and other drug harm remains one of Australia's major public health challenges. We now have a clear set of recommendations before us. The task before the government is to now act on them," says Dr Ryan.