Ms ANDERSON - 2006-10-12
The Alice Springs Alcohol Management Plan was launched last month and the new restrictions began on 1 October. Can you inform Territorians about the implementation of the plan and any progress there has been so far?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is very important, particularly for Alice Springs, because this is where the Alcohol Management Plan is centered. As the member said, the restrictions and the plan have been in place since the beginning of the month. The aim of the plan is to reduce the harm caused by alcohol abuse, and certainly the misuse of alcohol, in Alice Springs. It is not a secret; it is something that is very worrying for the community.
There are three main components to the plan: to reduce supply, to reduce harm, and reduce demand. First, we put in place measures to reduce supply. Those restrictions came into effect at the beginning of the month and will be monitored by the Licensing Commission over the next 12 months.
Mrs Braham: So people are getting drunk later in the day.
Ms MARTIN: There is also a 12 month - I thought you would be interested, member for Braitling.
Mrs Braham: I know all about it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Ms MARTIN: Come on. This is a good plan and I want to talk about it because we want to make sure this works for Alice Springs.
Ms Carney: You reckon it is going to work?
Ms MARTIN: I think you should be cheering. It is a good thing.
There is also a 12 month moratorium on the issue of takeaway licences, and that is in place. The second focus is on reducing harm by influencing what people drink and where they can drink it.
Madam Speaker, while the restrictions are only in their second week, we have anecdotal advice from Racing, Gaming and Licensing, from police, from the Alice Springs Hospital and from Congress to suggest there has been a substitution of the high alcohol content product, like port and cask wine, for beer and pre-mixed spirits. The feedback has been supported by comments in the media by licensees themselves.
We expected this to happen and it certainly bodes well for the alcohol management plan, because what it means is the consumption of pure alcohol per litre is reducing, and that is good. It will logically lead to a reduction in the alcohol-related harm that has been occurring in Alice Springs. We will continue to monitor that. We will receive the data from liquor licensees, police, hospital, primary health care providers, rehabilitation service providers and the Alice Springs Town Council. So we are working very proactively here. Cheer on, member Braitling, cheer on.
The third aspect is reducing demand for alcohol. Training for health professionals has been expanded, however, we are also intent on educating young people and changing the culture of excessive alcohol consumption. We will work with local sporting and recreational clubs and other licensed premises to promote that culture of responsible drinking.
Already there has been an increase in the number of inspections to ensure licensees are complying with the Liquor Act. These inspections will be conducted over 12 weeks and they are already in their third week of operation. We are strongly committed to ensuring the community is kept informed about the new arrangements, and certainly how they are progressing. We have an alcohol reference group in place, and all households in Alice Springs will receive a brochure outlining the alcohol management plan and the liquor restrictions.
I am confident that this plan and these restrictions can make a real difference to Alice Springs. I am certainly very pleased to keep the House and local members updated on the plan, and I know the member for Macdonnell is very keen to see how this progress is happening.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is very important, particularly for Alice Springs, because this is where the Alcohol Management Plan is centered. As the member said, the restrictions and the plan have been in place since the beginning of the month. The aim of the plan is to reduce the harm caused by alcohol abuse, and certainly the misuse of alcohol, in Alice Springs. It is not a secret; it is something that is very worrying for the community.
There are three main components to the plan: to reduce supply, to reduce harm, and reduce demand. First, we put in place measures to reduce supply. Those restrictions came into effect at the beginning of the month and will be monitored by the Licensing Commission over the next 12 months.
Mrs Braham: So people are getting drunk later in the day.
Ms MARTIN: There is also a 12 month - I thought you would be interested, member for Braitling.
Mrs Braham: I know all about it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Ms MARTIN: Come on. This is a good plan and I want to talk about it because we want to make sure this works for Alice Springs.
Ms Carney: You reckon it is going to work?
Ms MARTIN: I think you should be cheering. It is a good thing.
There is also a 12 month moratorium on the issue of takeaway licences, and that is in place. The second focus is on reducing harm by influencing what people drink and where they can drink it.
Madam Speaker, while the restrictions are only in their second week, we have anecdotal advice from Racing, Gaming and Licensing, from police, from the Alice Springs Hospital and from Congress to suggest there has been a substitution of the high alcohol content product, like port and cask wine, for beer and pre-mixed spirits. The feedback has been supported by comments in the media by licensees themselves.
We expected this to happen and it certainly bodes well for the alcohol management plan, because what it means is the consumption of pure alcohol per litre is reducing, and that is good. It will logically lead to a reduction in the alcohol-related harm that has been occurring in Alice Springs. We will continue to monitor that. We will receive the data from liquor licensees, police, hospital, primary health care providers, rehabilitation service providers and the Alice Springs Town Council. So we are working very proactively here. Cheer on, member Braitling, cheer on.
The third aspect is reducing demand for alcohol. Training for health professionals has been expanded, however, we are also intent on educating young people and changing the culture of excessive alcohol consumption. We will work with local sporting and recreational clubs and other licensed premises to promote that culture of responsible drinking.
Already there has been an increase in the number of inspections to ensure licensees are complying with the Liquor Act. These inspections will be conducted over 12 weeks and they are already in their third week of operation. We are strongly committed to ensuring the community is kept informed about the new arrangements, and certainly how they are progressing. We have an alcohol reference group in place, and all households in Alice Springs will receive a brochure outlining the alcohol management plan and the liquor restrictions.
I am confident that this plan and these restrictions can make a real difference to Alice Springs. I am certainly very pleased to keep the House and local members updated on the plan, and I know the member for Macdonnell is very keen to see how this progress is happening.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016