The General Synod has voted to back a motion which calls for Anglicans be at the forefront of the battle to change the binge-drinking culture.
Sydney delegate and Youthworks CEO Zac Veron moved the motion, warning of the growing impact of binge drinking in Australia.
His speech including some horrifying statistics.
"With binge drinking on the rise and 15% of Australians now classed as risky drinkers we are certainly in the big league when it comes to alcohol abuse."
"Alcohol abuse is a curse on our society and it inflicts untold pain on many people in Australia, particularly the young and vulnerable."
He said 450,000 children lived in households where there was binge drinking and the total economic impact of alcohol abuse in Australia was $36 billion each year.
Mr Veron called on the Synod, on its final day, "It's time to speak to that culture in order to change it; from alcohol is necessary and essential to alcohol is permissible in moderation. It's time to seek additional help from our law-makers in order to protect the young and the innocent.”
"A generation of young people is waiting. A generation is waiting for someone to do something, to say enough is enough, things must change and quick. A generation is waiting for us.
Seconding the motion, The Reverend Jim Ramsay, insisted binge drinking was "a very serious problem" which governments also had a responsibility to address.
He urged the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia to write to National, State and Territory government leaders seeking action on the issue.
The Synod vote was unanimous.
Gambling warning
The Synod also urged action on gambling, saying governments should reduce their reliance on gambling taxes.
The mover of the motion, Canon Sandy Grant from Wollongong described how gambling had addicted governments and gamblers.
‘‘I’ve seen families hanging by a thread through poker machine addiction, debt collectors at the doors, grandparents forced into child-minding and paying mortgages.’’ he told the Age newspaper.
