Mr CONLAN - 2015-02-26
Much has been said about the government’s measures addressing alcohol problems in the Northern Territory. The Labor opposition has been vocal in its criticism about the introduction of Alcohol Protection Orders and temporary beat locations – a measure introduced under the former Labor government.
Will you please tell the House what measures and effects these new alcohol measures have had on towns like Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine, which were besieged by law and order issues under the former government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, on my lapel is an Ambassador white ribbon, which was given to me by White Ribbon Australia, inasmuch as I take it as a personal duty to protect women in the community. As Attorney-General, and a member of the effective Giles Country Liberals government, we can take pride in the work we do.
I received an e-mail on Monday, 23 February and I will read it into the Hansard record:
I am proud of the work we do and the steps we take to protect women and children in our community. Eight referrals is better than 12, but still eight too many. Nevertheless, we are proud.
What concerns me most is that, for the sake of politics, these good and effective policies will be cast out if there is a Labor government reintroduced into the Northern Territory. They will reintroduce the BDR, which has statistically shown scant impact on the alcohol-related problems in our community. They should think long and hard about the impacts.
If they want to reintroduce the BDR let them, but do not take away the measures that work. Do not get rid of or change this. This is saving lives and protecting women and children. Introduce your BDR, but for goodness sake, do not take away the things that work, if you ever become a government.
Will you please tell the House what measures and effects these new alcohol measures have had on towns like Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine, which were besieged by law and order issues under the former government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, on my lapel is an Ambassador white ribbon, which was given to me by White Ribbon Australia, inasmuch as I take it as a personal duty to protect women in the community. As Attorney-General, and a member of the effective Giles Country Liberals government, we can take pride in the work we do.
I received an e-mail on Monday, 23 February and I will read it into the Hansard record:
- Minister
I am writing to you in regard to the sustained reduction in demand at the Alice Springs Women’s Shelter crisis accommodation over the last 12 months, which we increasingly believe has been driven by the reduction of alcohol supply through policing policy in Alice Springs.
In the reporting period July to December 2014, there was a 30% decrease in referrals to the service from the same time in 2013. In real terms, this means that we are receiving eight referrals a day instead of 12 referrals a day. Clearly, this significantly impacts the service’s ability to provide a quality and meaningful service response to these women and children requiring the service.
The number of adult women we provided with accommodation reduced by 22%, or 59 fewer women, requiring high-security accommodation.
Since my last communication with you on this matter, I have done some consultation with women who access our service, and we are confident that the decrease in the amount of alcohol in the community is the primary driver of this change, as well as women seeking support through our outreach service in significant numbers.
I am proud of the work we do and the steps we take to protect women and children in our community. Eight referrals is better than 12, but still eight too many. Nevertheless, we are proud.
What concerns me most is that, for the sake of politics, these good and effective policies will be cast out if there is a Labor government reintroduced into the Northern Territory. They will reintroduce the BDR, which has statistically shown scant impact on the alcohol-related problems in our community. They should think long and hard about the impacts.
If they want to reintroduce the BDR let them, but do not take away the measures that work. Do not get rid of or change this. This is saving lives and protecting women and children. Introduce your BDR, but for goodness sake, do not take away the things that work, if you ever become a government.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016