Pubdate: Mon, 16 Apr 2001
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441
Author: Aban Contractor, Higher Education Writer

HOWARD ON A WINNER WITH BEER TAX TO HELP REFUGEES

He could not win with the prime ministerial line on drugs, but yesterday Mr 
Richard Howard was onto a winner when he argued that Australia must do more 
for refugees.

A 2c tax on beer would raise the necessary funds, the third-year University 
of NSW student said. The Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, might not agree, 
but it was enough to sink his son's opponents, the Canberra-based 
Australian National University.

It was all part of the cut and thrust of The Sydney Morning 
HeraldAustralian Intervarsity Debating Championships involving 400 students 
from 72 teams drawn from 22 universities.

Earlier, Mr Howard had tried to argue that the war on drugs should focus on 
the family.

He lost.

It was a debate about priorities, a debate hampered by limited resources 
and limited funds. The war against supply had not worked, he said.

"I'm not saying focus on the family to the complete exclusion of everyone 
else," he said.

"But don't make [the fight against drugs] a mass approach ... We need to 
deal with the addicted, to recognise they have a problem. It's one of the 
most important things a family can do."

The opposing team, Macquarie University, hit back. Peer group pressure, 
hardline parents and dwindling resources made winning the battle that much 
harder.

Macquarie advocated involving families, schools and the community.

A government-sponsored information kit, delivered to the family home, would 
barely scratch the surface, leaving many young addicts to "fall through the 
cracks".
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart