Independent MLA Paul Osborne has expressed concerns about there being no legal prohibition against people under 18 serving alcohol to adult purchasers. Fortunately, his concern has been dismissed by the Attorney-General, Gary Humphries, for the wowserish, knee-jerk attempt at vote-catching it is.
There is nothing wrong with 15 to 18-year-olds serving alcohol in sealed containers in supermarkets and other outlets. Indeed, there is some merit in it. Those aged 15 to 18 have a far better idea of young people’s ages than middle aged people. The young people are better equipped to catch underage people buying alcohol.
Mr Osborne suggested that the young people would be under peer pressure to sell to their underage mates. It is an untested suspicion. Moreover, given that most supermarket sales are made in public and that under-18-year-old workers are usually under closer supervision by employers, it is unlikely.
More likely, Mr Osborne has not thought the issue through … he was vote trawling on the move. Any law to prevent 15 to 18-year-olds from operating the check-out counters at supermarkets where alcohol is served is likely to result in fewer jobs (part-time and full-time) for these youths. Far from being socially beneficial, any proposal to do something about Mr Osborne’s concern is likely to be social destructive.