Fine parents who give kids liquor: MP

Parents should be fined for giving their own children under 18 a glass of wine with dinner, a federal Liberal MP says.

It is illegal under state laws for people to give alcohol to minors without parental consent.

But Liberal backbencher Luke Simpkins wants to go further, and have parents fined for giving any kind of liquor to their own children before they reach adulthood.

"Given it is illegal for pubs and clubs to supply alcohol ... to persons under 18 ... that should be extended to all parents," Mr Simpkins told AAP on Wednesday, adding MPs from both sides of politics supported his call.

"Given brain development and maturity levels, it would be an excellent idea that it should just not be allowed lock, stock and barrel."

Asked if this would include a glass of wine with dinner, the father of two said: "That would be the right way to go."

Mr Simpkins said children introduced to alcohol at a younger age developed alcoholism later in life.

"I certainly won't be allowing my kids to have alcohol until they are 18," he said.

The Perth-based MP told a lower house inquiry into youth violence on Wednesday the law should be changed so parents are banned from giving alcohol to their own children.

The Australian Hotels Association told the same committee that while drinking levels were dropping during the week, people were binge drinking with more "intensity" on weekends, leading to more violent incidents.

"I feel sorry for the security staff," national president Tom McGuire said.

Asked about illicit drug use at its venues, he said his members were doing things like installing close-circuit cameras outside toilets to catch illegal activity.

"If you are going in and out, other than you have a bladder problem ... you are a suspect," he said.

The association's chief executive Bill Healey argued patrons often chose between spending $80 a night on alcohol or putting that money on a $20 ecstasy pill.

Higher alcohol taxes would encourage more illegal drug use, he argued.

"We're talking to Treasury about that increase in alcohol taxation."

Several states have laws banning the supply of alcohol to minors, including Queensland which fines licensed premises up to $18,750 for each offence.

Published by The Chronicle on 3rd February.

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2010/02/03/fine-parents-who-give-li...