Message's blurred vision DRINKWISE AUSTRALIA, which was established to promote responsible drinking, claims to be independent, despite receiving millions of dollars from the alcohol industry whose representatives make up half its 12-member board.
The organisation received $5 million in Federal Government funding last year to raise awareness of alcohol misuse and "change the drinking culture in Australia". However, DrinkWise's credibility is now being questioned following the resignation of the chairman of its research advisory committee and accusations it is a front for the alcohol industry.
Professor John Saunders quietly resigned last month as chairman of the committee and as a board member 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. He is also professor of alcohol and drug studies at the University of Queensland and director of alcohol and drug services at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
Professor Saunders said members of the editorial board of the Drug and Alcohol Review and colleagues were concerned there was a potential and perceived conflict of interest.
"The long and short of it was that it was felt, and I agree, that the appropriate way to resolve this absolutely clearly and transparently was for me to resign my position," he said.
DrinkWise asserts it is an independent organisation that aims to minimise the harm and maximise the benefits of alcohol consumption. Its financial backers and supporters include the Foster's Group, Lion Nathan Australia and the Australian Hotels Association, as well as groups that represent retailers and the spirits and wine industries.
According to its website, DrinkWise "seeks to raise approximately $10 million a year through collections from the alcohol industry". The organisation's board consists of six alcohol industry representatives and six from the community. It was established in 2005.
Professor Saunders' resignation follows the recent departures of the inaugural chairman, professor of medicine John Dwyer, and former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Palmer. Former Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary for health Trish Worth is acting chairman.
Drug and alcohol experts accuse DrinkWise of being a front for the industry, and say similar organisations have been established in Europe, the US and New Zealand.
Wayne Hall, professor of public health policy at the University of Queensland, said there was no doubt the organisation was a mouthpiece for the alcohol industry.
Professor Robin Room, the director of Turning Point's AER Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, said DrinkWise and similar groups advocated policies that appeared plausible and had a high media profile, but were likely to have little effect on alcohol use or alcohol-related problems.
DrinkWise chief executive Mike MacAvoy insisted the organisation was independent. "The organisation depends on its credibility by being independent and I think that's very important," Dr MacAvoy said. "The pressure that was put on Professor Saunders has nothing to do with DrinkWise … it's a perception outside by some of his colleagues, that's all."
Dr MacAvoy said DrinkWise was funded equally by the industry and the Federal Government.
Professor Dwyer, former chairman of the Australian Healthcare Reform Alliance and emeritus professor of medicine at the University of NSW, said some people saw the industry as the devil incarnate and were unlikely to change their views.
"That is an approach that I think is outdated and outmoded, but there was a lot of pressure put on John (Saunders) and I can understand where he is coming from. I think it is a most unfortunate situation."
Dr MacAvoy said DrinkWise had commissioned two research projects looking at drinking among young people. The projects would be done by researchers at Flinders, Monash and Deakin universities.
