The NT Government has introduced temporary restrictions on alcohol sales in response to a surge in alcohol-related crimes and violence in Alice Springs.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement with NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles from Alice Springs on Tuesday.
Mr Albanese said he supports the “immediate restrictions which will be placed on and will be announced and implemented in co-operation with the authorities, …[and] very much [welcomed] by the law enforcement people”.
“The Australian Government is working in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and local communities to take action in response to the urgent challenges facing Alice Springs. The Northern Territory Government will introduce immediate temporary restrictions on alcohol sales as a circuit-breaker measure to improve community safety in Central Australia,” said Mr Albanese.
The restrictions mean that:
- Takeaway alcohol will no longer be available on Mondays and Tuesdays
- Takeaway alcohol will only be available from 3.00-7.00pm on the other days of the week.
- Transactions will be limited to one per person per day, facilitated by the BDR (Banned Drinker Register) that is already in place.
The measures will be in place for three months during which time the NT Government will work on other measures as well.
Alcohol restrictions were lifted last year when the Strong Futures bans came to an end after 15 years.
Dorelle Anderson has been appointed Central Australian Regional Controller and will deliver advice in one week as to whether alcohol bans should be re-imposed with communities required to opt-out (as opposed to opting-in as is currently the case).
Chief Minister Fyles said, “I do ask the community to understand we do not take these decisions lightly, but these are measures to reduce the amount of alcohol in our community.
“It is a decision that police fully support, and by reducing that amount of alcohol, we will reduce the harm.”
Law enforcement will be better resourced with an additional $14.2m in funding and $2m in CCTV, light and safety measures. Women and children will also be supported with:
- $2m to Tangentyre Women’s Council to boost Domestic Violence services
- $25m to extend funding for safety and community services.
- $20 million for Gap Youth Centre and other youth services in Alice Springs, to continue to provide hands on support.
- $15 million provided to the Northern Territory Government under the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence National Partnership Agreement.
