CANBERRA has been ranked as the best performing jurisdiction for policy that aims to reduce alcohol-related harm.

The National Alliance for Action on Alcohol (NAAA) released its inaugural National Scorecard on Alcohol Policy, which rates and compares the eight State, Territory and Commonwealth governments against ten alcohol policy criteria.

The ACT scored highest at 57 per cent for strengthened policies in drink driving measures and treatment, early intervention policies and whole of government planning for the prevention and reduction of alcohol related harm.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher says the ACT Government has worked “very hard” over recent years to deliver a suite of reforms which make our popular nightspots, particularly in Civic and the inner south, safer.

“This award today is a positive endorsement that these reforms are achieving their purpose,” says Ms Gallagher.

“The reforms were specifically designed to tackle the issue of alcohol related violence and included a new risk-based licensing system that funded dedicated police teams to patrol licensed venues; increased police powers to deal with antisocial behaviour and increased training for staff who serve alcohol in licensed venues.”

The Alcohol Policy Scorecard is an initiative of the NAAA, a copy of the results can be found at: http://www.actiononalcohol.org.au