The Wire

Americans – according to stereotype, they’re not exactly models of self-restraint when it comes to alcohol. But according to a Queensland academic, Australian government policy on alcohol should be more similar to that of the United States. Kathy Stewart, of Queensland’s University of Technology, recently advocated an increase of the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, claiming that it would reduce the number of deaths on Australian roads. She spoke about whether simply increasing the minimum drinking age actually addresses the issue of alcohol abuse by young Australians.