Booze Culture Gets a Bashing

Australia's image as a land of alcohol-fuelled hedonism is under attack this week at a conference sponsored by the government in Sydney.

Measures proposed at the five-day conference include assaults on such traditions as happy hour, half-price drinks, and knocking back a beer while watching cricket.

Organisers are keen to shake off accusations that they are wowsers, or spoilsports. "A starting point for this summit is that alcohol is not bad," said the New South Wales premier, Bob Carr, in his opening speech.

"Sharing a beer with friends is tied to a tradition of mateship that holds a treasured place in Australian culture. "[But] is it mateship to watch your mate downing glass after glass, when you know his wife and kids are already afraid of him?"

The NSW Police Association attacked sponsorship of sporting events by beer companies, while admitting that drinking in the stands "is probably as close to a national religion as we will ever get".