Mr HIGGINS - 2013-08-21
The government’s new alcohol mandatory treatment system was launched on 1 July. Can you update the House on the first 52 days of this important system and outline some of the benefits of those who suffer chronic alcohol addiction?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this morning I impart very good news about the roll-out of alcohol mandatory treatment across the Northern Territory. Never before in the Northern Territory has there been such an emphasis on treatment. The former Labor government focused on supply. For the first time in the history of the Northern Territory, we have approached it from a balanced perspective. We have approached the very serious problem of alcohol abuse …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113, relevance. She is misleading the parliament. We had an alcohol tribunal ...
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated. There is no point of order. Sit down.
Ms LAWRIE: … that referred people to treatment …
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, sit down! You are on a warning.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Leader of the Opposition made a scurrilous accusation which can only be proved by substantive motion or she must be asked to withdraw it.
Ms Lawrie: The Speaker has approved ‘misleading’ previously.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition accused the minister of misleading this House, the most serious allegation you can make in this House. She has not withdrawn it.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, withdraw that statement of misleading, please.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw. It was allowed yesterday.
Mrs LAMBLEY: Madam Speaker, I interpret the very defensive behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition in relation to the failure of her alcohol policies as a sign that ours, for the first time in the history of the Northern Territory, just might work to change people’s lives.
For the first time, we have a health treatment model available for people who are chronically afflicted with alcohol abuse. Over the last 52 days since we started the roll-out, the beginning of our alcohol mandatory treatment policy, 36 people have been assessed and are now in treatment within our alcohol mandatory treatment centres. They are going through the assessment and treatment processes.
Thirty-six people in 52 days is what we envisaged. This is the roll-out. We are right on target. We knew that within the first three months there would be a gradual take-up of alcohol mandatory treatment, and having 36 people undergoing assessment and treatment within this program is well on target ...
Mr VATSKALIS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113, relevance. Can the minister advise if there are 36 people receiving treatment or 18, as you said in your statement today?
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. Sit down.
Mrs LAMBLEY: The opposition obviously takes exception to the good news about alcohol mandatory treatment in the Northern Territory. They could only concentrate on supply. Their vision and perspective of how to treat this very serious problem in the Northern Territory was lacking and narrow.
We are catering for people who are very sick, debilitated, and disabled by their alcohol addiction. For the first time in the history of the Northern Territory, we can mandate these people into a treatment program which will change their lives. There is absolutely no doubt.
On 27 June, we put through legislation unprecedented in the history of Australia. This means people, for the first time, who have a serious alcohol problem can be managed through a health system and assisted to change their lives, get off the grog, and contribute to our community.
Madam Speaker, this government is very proud of what we are doing in this space.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this morning I impart very good news about the roll-out of alcohol mandatory treatment across the Northern Territory. Never before in the Northern Territory has there been such an emphasis on treatment. The former Labor government focused on supply. For the first time in the history of the Northern Territory, we have approached it from a balanced perspective. We have approached the very serious problem of alcohol abuse …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113, relevance. She is misleading the parliament. We had an alcohol tribunal ...
Madam SPEAKER: Please be seated. There is no point of order. Sit down.
Ms LAWRIE: … that referred people to treatment …
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, sit down! You are on a warning.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Leader of the Opposition made a scurrilous accusation which can only be proved by substantive motion or she must be asked to withdraw it.
Ms Lawrie: The Speaker has approved ‘misleading’ previously.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition accused the minister of misleading this House, the most serious allegation you can make in this House. She has not withdrawn it.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, withdraw that statement of misleading, please.
Ms LAWRIE: I withdraw. It was allowed yesterday.
Mrs LAMBLEY: Madam Speaker, I interpret the very defensive behaviour of the Leader of the Opposition in relation to the failure of her alcohol policies as a sign that ours, for the first time in the history of the Northern Territory, just might work to change people’s lives.
For the first time, we have a health treatment model available for people who are chronically afflicted with alcohol abuse. Over the last 52 days since we started the roll-out, the beginning of our alcohol mandatory treatment policy, 36 people have been assessed and are now in treatment within our alcohol mandatory treatment centres. They are going through the assessment and treatment processes.
Thirty-six people in 52 days is what we envisaged. This is the roll-out. We are right on target. We knew that within the first three months there would be a gradual take-up of alcohol mandatory treatment, and having 36 people undergoing assessment and treatment within this program is well on target ...
Mr VATSKALIS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113, relevance. Can the minister advise if there are 36 people receiving treatment or 18, as you said in your statement today?
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. Sit down.
Mrs LAMBLEY: The opposition obviously takes exception to the good news about alcohol mandatory treatment in the Northern Territory. They could only concentrate on supply. Their vision and perspective of how to treat this very serious problem in the Northern Territory was lacking and narrow.
We are catering for people who are very sick, debilitated, and disabled by their alcohol addiction. For the first time in the history of the Northern Territory, we can mandate these people into a treatment program which will change their lives. There is absolutely no doubt.
On 27 June, we put through legislation unprecedented in the history of Australia. This means people, for the first time, who have a serious alcohol problem can be managed through a health system and assisted to change their lives, get off the grog, and contribute to our community.
Madam Speaker, this government is very proud of what we are doing in this space.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016