Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE [5.10 p.m.]: The Premier has announced what he says are the most extensive reforms to the New South Wales liquor laws in 25 years. That means that alcohol is on the agenda for this Parliament, because in due course legislation will be introduced to implement those reforms. I will review some of the worthwhile amendments that have been made to alcohol-related legislation in this State. The Christian Democratic Party has consistently pointed out the effects of alcohol abuse. As honourable members know, the Christian Democratic Party introduced the Alcoholic Beverages Advertising Prohibition Bill, which was defeated.

A second bill has been proposed dealing with alcoholic products carrying labels warning about the dangers of pregnant women consuming alcohol. Those dangers are now widely accepted. In the past medical authorities said that pregnant women could consume two glasses of alcohol a day without causing any damage to themselves or their baby, but they are now saying that it is dangerous to consume any alcohol during pregnancy. The Christian Democratic Party was also pleased about the introduction of random breath testing of drivers. We hope that in due course similar extensive random drug testing will be introduced. A limited trial is underway, but it should be extended across the State. I understand that at the moment only one drug testing bus is being used.

Another positive reform is the extension of zero alcohol tolerance to learner drivers and P-plate licence holders. I strongly promoted that initiative during Premier Bob Carr's 2003 Alcohol Summit. We have only recently dealt with a bill extending zero alcohol tolerance to learner drivers and P-plate licence holders from interstate and overseas. The Alcohol Summit, which followed on from the Drug Summit, was an important event. It acknowledged that alcohol is our major social problem. Even though I am strongly opposed to illegal drugs such as heroin, marijuana, cocaine and so on, the evidence proves that alcohol is our most serious social problem.

Any amendments to alcohol-related legislation must be treated with great care so that we do not inadvertently create more social problems in this State. The Federal Government's National Alcohol Strategy 2006-09, which was endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy in May 2006, has been developed in cooperation with State and Territory governments in response to the serious impact that alcohol has on this country. Each year approximately 3,000 people die as a result of excessive alcohol consumption and about 65,000 people are hospitalised. The annual national cost of alcohol-related social problems is estimated to be $7.6 billion. The strategy's four priorities are intoxication, public safety and amenity, health impacts, and cultural place and availability.

There is also no doubt that people who drive under the influence of alcohol cause serious accidents. One in eight people admit to driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Young people, particularly those in the 20 to 29 year age group, are more likely to consume alcohol in a way that exposes them to the risk of long-term alcohol-related harm. It is important that this Parliament hasten very slowly with any moves to reform alcohol legislation. We must ensure that we do not open Pandora's box and as a result confront many more problems, especially given the predicted increase in the number of small bars operating in the Sydney city area. [Time expired.]