Further, public drinking is all but restricted to destitutes outside of NYE and Aus day.
Contrast that with Germany. Every two blocks there's a Späti, many open 20–24h daily, each selling beer, wine, and spirits, at all hours of the day. You'll find hordes drinking in the streets, parks, and riversides anytime weather permits. It isn't unusual to see people sharing a beer on the U-bahn on the way to the work.
One culture demonises (although indulges in) alcohol, the other embraces it.
And yes, in general I 100% agree with the local policy that beer is free to buy and consume from age 16. The majority of people (I know) start drinking responsibly by age 20-25 and from the stories I heard from other countries there are quite a few less hospital visits involved.
That is because that is only place to buy anything. You wont buy bread in small town in the night either. Because the stores are closed.