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Australian politician faces fine for drinking beer
Nick Dametto, member for Hinchinbrook in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, could be slapped with a hefty fine after he shared photos of himself drinking a can of beer in an area with a strict alcohol limit. The post Australian politician faces fine for drinking beer appeared first on The Drinks Business.
Nick Dametto, member for Hinchinbrook in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, could be slapped with a hefty fine after he shared photos of himself drinking a can of beer in an area with a strict alcohol limit.
Dametto shared the snaps of he and his friends consuming a beer during a visit to Curacoa Island, which is part of the Palm Islands archipelago off Queensland, on social media – but he was unaware that the pictures would get him into trouble.
The beer the photo shows him holding has an ABV of 4.2% – however, the Palm Islands have a rule prohibiting the consumption of full-strength alcoholic beverages, which means any drink above 4% ABV.
The biggest fine Dametto could receive would be around AU$60,000 (£28,800).
He said, as reported by 7 News, that he would "take his poison" and accept any penalty that he was given, though he did say that a harsh punishment for the misdemeanour, which took place on Good Friday, would be akin to "trying to crucify someone at Easter".
Dametto, who is is also the deputy leader of Katter's Australian Party, founded by libertarian politician Bob Katter, argued that the alcohol restrictions were also not clearly communicated: "I can understand why some people have become angry about this but, at the same time, there should be more signage on the islands."
"We were only out there with a small amount of alcohol and enough food to keep us going for a couple of hours," he added.
However, Andrea Kyle-Sailor, a community development worker who handles legal cases including those involving the breaking of drinking restrictions, was not convinced: “I would have thought that the Member for Hinchinbrook would be aware of the alcohol restrictions...It’s all there at your fingertips - get on your phone, have a look, see what the restrictions are."
Although his drinks have landed Dametto in hot water, beer consumption is a key part of Australian politics, both on the campaign trail and while in office. Shortly after his election to the role in 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese skolled a beer for the crowd while attending a concert in Sydney.
Dametto shared the snaps of he and his friends consuming a beer during a visit to Curacoa Island, which is part of the Palm Islands archipelago off Queensland, on social media – but he was unaware that the pictures would get him into trouble.
The beer the photo shows him holding has an ABV of 4.2% – however, the Palm Islands have a rule prohibiting the consumption of full-strength alcoholic beverages, which means any drink above 4% ABV.
The biggest fine Dametto could receive would be around AU$60,000 (£28,800).
He said, as reported by 7 News, that he would "take his poison" and accept any penalty that he was given, though he did say that a harsh punishment for the misdemeanour, which took place on Good Friday, would be akin to "trying to crucify someone at Easter".
Dametto, who is is also the deputy leader of Katter's Australian Party, founded by libertarian politician Bob Katter, argued that the alcohol restrictions were also not clearly communicated: "I can understand why some people have become angry about this but, at the same time, there should be more signage on the islands."
"We were only out there with a small amount of alcohol and enough food to keep us going for a couple of hours," he added.
However, Andrea Kyle-Sailor, a community development worker who handles legal cases including those involving the breaking of drinking restrictions, was not convinced: “I would have thought that the Member for Hinchinbrook would be aware of the alcohol restrictions...It’s all there at your fingertips - get on your phone, have a look, see what the restrictions are."
Although his drinks have landed Dametto in hot water, beer consumption is a key part of Australian politics, both on the campaign trail and while in office. Shortly after his election to the role in 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese skolled a beer for the crowd while attending a concert in Sydney. 
