Abstract
Alcohol has long been known to increase crime rates, and its particular influence on levels of interpersonal violence is well studied. The author reviews public policy developments in Australia and New Zealand concerning alcohol consumption, with a particular focus on laws and policies designed to reduce violence and criminal offending stemming from alcohol misuse, and discusses priorities for further development of law and policy in Australia and New Zealand in order to increase the gains already made in addressing the deleterious effects of alcohol misuse.