Australian Christians Leader, Maryka Groenewald MLC, has today confirmed she will vote against the Labor Government’s proposed “Liquor Control Act”, citing the bill’s erosion of respect for sacred days and its dangerous concentration of power.
“In all good conscience, I cannot support a bill that degrades sacred days like Christmas, Good Friday, and ANZAC Day,” said Maryka Groenewald MLC,
“These aren’t just dates on a calendar, they are pillars of our cultural and spiritual life,
“ANZAC Day, especially, is increasingly being treated as an excuse to party rather than a solemn day of national remembrance for those who sacrificed for our Nation,
“Speaking of those who sacrificed for us, can we not show a measure of respect for the birth of Jesus Christ, who gave His life for the world,
“Christ’s birth is not just another holiday. It marks the arrival of the most influential Man in history: the Son of God,
“What good does it do our society to promote more drinking on days that should be marked by reflection and reverence?
“This legislation reflects a deeper cultural shift away from honouring what is sacred and toward treating everything as a commercial opportunity,
“I am also seriously concerned by the concentration of power in the hands of the Director of Liquor Licensing,
“This change will make it harder for residents to object to local liquor applications and threatens venue operators’ procedural fairness,
“Encouraging more alcohol consumption around public holidays will inevitably lead to more alcohol-related harm,
“We know increased drinking contributes to higher rates of domestic violence, assaults, and road trauma,
“At the same time, Labor is expanding the Banned Drinkers Register without investing in real support for those battling alcohol addiction,
“For these reasons, I will be voting against this legislation,” Groenewald concluded.