Fed: Ridgeway supports idea to look at prohibition

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2004
Fed: Ridgeway supports idea to look at prohibition

CANBERRA, April 15 AAP - Australian Democrats senator Aden Ridgeway today backed a
plan being considered by the Queensland government to prohibit alcohol in some Aboriginal
communities.

Premier Peter Beattie will consider the idea if current alcohol bans prove unsuccessful.

Alcohol management plans (AMPs) were introduced in some cape communities last year
and went into force in seven more remote communities yesterday.

Senator Ridgeway, Australia's only federal indigenous politician, said his support
for the idea was unlikely to be popular among his constituents.

"The idea of prohibition ought to be considered as one option but it's an option that
can't be done in isolation of other parts of the package," he told ABC radio.

"Clearly the Beattie government does need to respond to look at dealing with the underlying
causes."

Senator Ridgeway dismissed suggestions that prohibition would be discriminatory or paternalistic.

"The reality is that there is a moral obligation to respond to the fact that violence
is being meted out upon women and children are being sexually abused within communities,"

he said.

"I think it's a pointless argument to talk about whether or not the law is used in
a way against one group and not against others.

"Far too often in indigenous affairs we argue about the wallpaper while the house is burning."

AAP so/sb/hu/de

KEYWORD: BOOZE RIDGEWAY

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