WINE TAX ISSUE NOT DEAD YET: LISTEN UP!

KNOW THIS FEELING? BEEN THIS CLOSE AND SURVIVED? IF WINE HAS GOT YOU INTO THIS SORT OF TROUBLE, THE ODDS ARE YOU WERE FULL OF HIGHLY IRRIGATED BLADDER PACK PLONK. THIS HALF OF THE AUSTRALIAN WINE INDUSTRY DOES MORE THAN DESTROY THE WATERS AND ENVIRONMENT OF OUR ONLY MAJOR RIVER SYSTEM; IT MAKES PEOPLE KILL EACH OTHER

A Sobering Hour Of Radio ...
Plonk Lobby In The Spotlight ...
Brave ABC Pops Big Questions:

Australian Broadcasting Commission presenter, Kieran Weir, hosted a brave, pertinent and wide-ranging discussion on air this week. The hour-long conversation covered many aspects of public alcoholism, dry zones, health problems, the bladder pack business, alcohol tax, civic drinking laws, spirits, wine, gastroporn and politics.

With producer Petria Ladgrove, Weir assembled a panel of confronting but constructive contributors that included

* David Crosbie from the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Centre
* A very brave Alcoholics Anonymous member from Port Pirie
* Karyn Read from the Port Augusta Alcohol Management Group
* The Distilled Spirits Industry Council
* The Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey

and Philip White, the author of DRINKSTER and DRANKSTER, who once again called for an immediate independent inquiry into this whole bloody mess.

No matter whose side you take, this is compelling and challenging listening for anybody in the alcohol business, and all recipients and dealers of its wares, whether casual, or terminally addicted.

ABC PRESENTER AND FILM-MAkER, KIERAN WEIR

And of course it is essential listening for everybody involved in the beleagured wreck of the Australian wine business.

DRINKSTER remains enraged that there was NO public discussion of Treasury boss Ken Henry's proposal to tax all alcohol by excise, and that faceless wine industry operatives got to an intellectually decrepit and punch drunk government to ensure the whole proposal should be quietly shelved.

This discussion must be conducted openly and nationally, and not left to a brave and enlightened regional radio station.

It can no longer be left to faceless lobbyists who squander millions influencing politicians in Canberra.

To hear the program in its entirety, click on either photograph.