DrinkWise Australia

DrinkWise Australia is a body established by the alcohol industry which states on its website that it aims to "minimise the harm and maximise any benefits from alcohol consumption". DrinkWise emphasises that it is "evidence based".

Amongst the organisation's policies is the view that "most people can enjoy alcohol as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle".

On April 26, 2006 the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing in the then Australian Government, Christopher Pyne, announced a $5 million contribution to DrinkWise Australia. In the media release announcing the grant, Pyne stated that the funding was for "education activities to encourage Australians to drink responsibly". His release also stated that the funding "gives the Government an opportunity to work with the alcohol industry and the Australian community to raise awareness about the harms associated with alcohol misuse and encourage the responsible use of alcohol."

Professor Wayne D Hall from the University of Queensland says "It's largely a public relations exercise in showing us that they're doing something about the problem, but it is just a front." He says DrinkWise is a type of group known in the alcohol industry as a social aspects organisation.

In a letter to the Medical Journal of Australia published May 11, 2009 a group of 50 health experts declared they would not seek or accept funding from DrinkWise. The letter also points out public statements by DrinkWise's CEO Chris Watters opposing a tax increase on 'alcopops'. Mr Watters reportedly said that DrinkWise recommended against "fiddling with alcohol tax" because it was "old thinking" and that "the facts just don’t stand up".

On 15-16th October 2007 DrinkWise held a join workshop with US-based International Centre for Alcohol Policies (ICAP). ICAP says it is "supported by major producers of beverage alcohol".

Board
DrinkWise says "Under the Constitution, the Chairman and the DrinkWise Australia Executive are required to be demonstrably independent of the liquor industry" and "The Board will consist of six representatives from the industry and six community representatives".

As of 1 December 2008, the CEO is Chris Watters. The previous CEO was Dr Mike MacAvoy.

Community representatives

 * Patricia Worth, Chairperson
 * Neil Comrie
 * Professor Ross Kalucy
 * Terry Slater
 * Noel Turnbull

Noel Turnbull is listed on DrinkWise's website as a director of Growth Systems Group, a consulting firm which promotes four wine industry projects amongst its work.

Former chairperson Professor John B. Saunders resigned in January 2007 over "concerns his position on a body funded by the alcohol industry conflicted with his role as editor-in-chief of the research journal Drug and Alcohol Review and his other professional responsibilities".

Industry representatives

 * Ian D. Johnston, CEO, Foster's Group
 * Andrew Reeves, Managing Director, Lion Nathan
 * Philip Laffer, Winemakers Federation of Australia. Also chief winemaker at Pernod Ricard Pacific which says it is "an active member of DrinkWise in Australia".
 * Michael McShane, Chairman, Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia
 * Brian Kearney, CEO, Australian Hotels Association (Victoria)
 * Mal Higgs, President, Australian Liquor Stores Association