Mr GUNNER - 2014-03-26
The CLP promised to return full strength alcohol to clubs on the Tiwi Islands if elected into government. What is the status of this promise after 18 months in government? What discussions has the government had with Tiwi Islanders about a new alcohol management plan and the lift restrictions on full strength alcohol on the Tiwi Islands? Also, what is the status of the alcohol rehabilitation centre at Four Mile Camp?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Again, the premise of the question was wrong. We did not go to an election promising or committing to heavy beer on the Tiwi Islands.
Ms Lawrie: Yes, you did.
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: Listen to them, they are a rabble.
Ms Lawrie: We will pass that on to the Tiwi Islanders, shall we?
Mr TOLLNER: Go on, fire up! Say we did when we did not.
This question is an interesting one. We are focusing many efforts on the Tiwi Islands and are very keen to see a proposal in relation to this. We have said we will look at any communities wanting to introduce alcohol, but before we grant any access or lift restrictions, we want to ensure there are systems in place which deal with problem drunks. There is work happening on the Tiwi Islands with alcohol rehabilitation. I look forward to receiving a proposal about reintroducing heavy beer back to the Tiwi Islands. However, until I get a proposal, there is nothing to assess it on.
In relation to the rehab centre on the Tiwi Islands, I might leave it to the Minister for Health and Alcohol Rehabilitation.
Mrs LAMBLEY (Alcohol Rehabilitation): Madam Speaker, we have been successful in rolling out alcohol mandatory treatment in Alice Springs, Darwin, and Gove. This year, in 2014, we will be concentrating our efforts in Katherine and Tennant Creek. Both of those centres do not have alcohol mandatory treatment provisions in place. In Katherine, we have the ability to make community treatment orders but not mandatory treatment orders.
I have advised the member for Arafura, who lives on the Tiwi Islands, the Tiwi Islands will be next in line. We will get to them in 2016. We intend to have some sort of facility on the Tiwi Islands. The problem we have encountered is, during those first few weeks of having people in alcohol mandatory treatment, they require heavy duty medical supervision and treatment. They need access to good medical facilities and often a hospital. Placing people on the Tiwi Islands for alcohol mandatory treatment is a little tough in the first place. However, we will get there; we have made the commitment.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise of the presence in the gallery of the Student Representative Council and the ICT Leadership Group from Nightcliff Middle School accompanied by Melissa Davy and Sian Howard. Welcome to Parliament House. I hope you enjoy your stay here.
Members: Hear, hear!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Again, the premise of the question was wrong. We did not go to an election promising or committing to heavy beer on the Tiwi Islands.
Ms Lawrie: Yes, you did.
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: Listen to them, they are a rabble.
Ms Lawrie: We will pass that on to the Tiwi Islanders, shall we?
Mr TOLLNER: Go on, fire up! Say we did when we did not.
This question is an interesting one. We are focusing many efforts on the Tiwi Islands and are very keen to see a proposal in relation to this. We have said we will look at any communities wanting to introduce alcohol, but before we grant any access or lift restrictions, we want to ensure there are systems in place which deal with problem drunks. There is work happening on the Tiwi Islands with alcohol rehabilitation. I look forward to receiving a proposal about reintroducing heavy beer back to the Tiwi Islands. However, until I get a proposal, there is nothing to assess it on.
In relation to the rehab centre on the Tiwi Islands, I might leave it to the Minister for Health and Alcohol Rehabilitation.
Mrs LAMBLEY (Alcohol Rehabilitation): Madam Speaker, we have been successful in rolling out alcohol mandatory treatment in Alice Springs, Darwin, and Gove. This year, in 2014, we will be concentrating our efforts in Katherine and Tennant Creek. Both of those centres do not have alcohol mandatory treatment provisions in place. In Katherine, we have the ability to make community treatment orders but not mandatory treatment orders.
I have advised the member for Arafura, who lives on the Tiwi Islands, the Tiwi Islands will be next in line. We will get to them in 2016. We intend to have some sort of facility on the Tiwi Islands. The problem we have encountered is, during those first few weeks of having people in alcohol mandatory treatment, they require heavy duty medical supervision and treatment. They need access to good medical facilities and often a hospital. Placing people on the Tiwi Islands for alcohol mandatory treatment is a little tough in the first place. However, we will get there; we have made the commitment.
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Visitors
Visitors
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise of the presence in the gallery of the Student Representative Council and the ICT Leadership Group from Nightcliff Middle School accompanied by Melissa Davy and Sian Howard. Welcome to Parliament House. I hope you enjoy your stay here.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016