“The Supreme Court of Canada heard arguments [last] Wednesday about a case that will decide if hosts are responsible for the behaviour of their alcohol-consuming guests. The issue stems from a 1999 New Year’s Eve drunk driving accident caused by Desmond Desormeaux, who left a house party near Ottawa after consuming 12 beers.” A victim in the subsequent crash “has been seeking compensation from Desormeaux’s hosts, Julie Zimmerman and Dwight Courrier, for letting him drive home drunk.” The Ontario courts have thus far ruled against her case. (CTV, Jan. 19). See Sept. 12, 2002. Many but not all American states have embraced social-host alcohol liability, and the topic has also stirred controversy in Australia, where the high court of the largest state, New South Wales, rejected the principle recently (Feb. 23, 2005).
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In Australia; Canada; eat drink and be merry; personal responsibility
New South Wales is not the largest Australian state - only Tasmania is smaller.
At that, it’s still a lot bigger than the old South Wales.
Very well then, “most populous” Australian state. However, per this table, the land area of NSW exceeds that of the state of Victoria, as well as that of Tasmania.
http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/intro.html