Indigenous Australians and alcohol control: The impact of hotel ownership on harm reduction and social and economic development

This research investigates Indigenous social entrepreneurship: market-based ventures with social aims. Indigenous groups have purchased licensed hotels as well as vineyards, as strategies for economic and social empowerment, to exert control over alcohol availability, and to use profits for the community good. However, alcohol abuse is the cause of significant health and social problems in their communities. The research questions how Indigenous community organisations manage the tension between two apparently incompatible policy goals - those of commercial viability and social good - in the context of enterprises based on the sale of alcohol.