The State Government has been slammed for its’ website replacement of a Department of Education Expert Drug and Alcohol Policy Development Unit.
Yesterday’s launch of the online resource by Minister for Hospitality, George Souris, came on the heels of the abolition of the expert union.
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website has been criticised for its’ conflicts of interests and for directing high school students to a UK site, urging them to contact their local UK council for more information.
The online source was developed by a working group which included the Australian Hotels Association, Clubs NSW and the Liquor Stores Association of NSW.
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) Chief Executive Michael Thorn says the embarrassing and potentially damaging Government gaffe is an insult to the leading alcohol research and education body.
“It is not acceptable that the Government sees fit to ignore the advice and input of independent research organisations, and allows this educational resource to be developed by the alcohol industry, an industry with an undeniable and obvious conflict of interest,” Mr Thorn said.