Ms WALKER - 2011-08-09
It is widely considered that alcohol misuse causes crime. We know 60% of all assaults across the Territory are alcohol-related. Can you please outline to the House what the Territory government is doing to tackle alcohol-related crime, and the CLP alternative?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nhulunbuy - a fantastic question. As we know, the Territory government has the strongest reforms and is taking the strongest action in the nation to turn the problem drinker off tap through the Banned Drinker Register and a raft of reforms.
We know why, because 60% of all assaults are fuelled by alcohol and, disturbingly, 67% of domestic violence is fuelled by alcohol. People are now on the Banned Drinker Register because of breaches of domestic violence orders, and I congratulate the police for that work.
If you listen to the CLP, their shadow spokesperson for alcohol said there is a negligible link between alcohol and crime. Under our reforms, 858 people are banned from buying takeaway alcohol. Under Terry Mills, they would be able to drink.
The Banned Drinker Register is a tool to enforce the bans Territory-wide, and it is working – 1000 people have already been refused sale. Yet, the CLP claimed people would have to show ID at a barbecue – wrong. The CLP also claimed attendants at bottle shops would stalk young women – wrong. The shadow minister said people buying alcohol online should not have to give their details or address. I am unsure how he thought alcohol would be delivered to the person if they did not provide an address. He went on to say the alcohol reforms would mean lost taxes from alcohol sales going online. The Territory does not get tax - there was a High Court decision in the 1990s that ruled the Territory out of collecting alcohol taxes – the Commonwealth gets alcohol taxes.
Their ideas on alcohol-related crime, which popped up during the Assembly debate on the alcohol reforms - a classic from the member for Drysdale who suggested we copy New Zealand and ban the drive-through at the bottle shop. Another classic was from the member for Braitling who suggested we could open bottle shops earlier in Alice Springs, but close them four hours earlier. Monday to Friday, that would mean closing bottle shops in Alice Springs at 5 pm ...
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Ms LAWRIE: They have no credibility. Terry Mills has committed to overturning the government’s alcohol reforms and putting 858 people back on tap ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Treasurer well knows the rules of this House and she should refer to members accordingly.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat.
Ms LAWRIE: The member for Blain, AKA the Leader of the Opposition, at the moment, has repeatedly said they will revoke the Banned Drinker Register and put those 858 people who are being refused sale back on tap. He is ignoring the fact that 60% of crime is fuelled by alcohol. Do you want to see those assaults and domestic violence continue? You are ignoring the link between ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nhulunbuy - a fantastic question. As we know, the Territory government has the strongest reforms and is taking the strongest action in the nation to turn the problem drinker off tap through the Banned Drinker Register and a raft of reforms.
We know why, because 60% of all assaults are fuelled by alcohol and, disturbingly, 67% of domestic violence is fuelled by alcohol. People are now on the Banned Drinker Register because of breaches of domestic violence orders, and I congratulate the police for that work.
If you listen to the CLP, their shadow spokesperson for alcohol said there is a negligible link between alcohol and crime. Under our reforms, 858 people are banned from buying takeaway alcohol. Under Terry Mills, they would be able to drink.
The Banned Drinker Register is a tool to enforce the bans Territory-wide, and it is working – 1000 people have already been refused sale. Yet, the CLP claimed people would have to show ID at a barbecue – wrong. The CLP also claimed attendants at bottle shops would stalk young women – wrong. The shadow minister said people buying alcohol online should not have to give their details or address. I am unsure how he thought alcohol would be delivered to the person if they did not provide an address. He went on to say the alcohol reforms would mean lost taxes from alcohol sales going online. The Territory does not get tax - there was a High Court decision in the 1990s that ruled the Territory out of collecting alcohol taxes – the Commonwealth gets alcohol taxes.
Their ideas on alcohol-related crime, which popped up during the Assembly debate on the alcohol reforms - a classic from the member for Drysdale who suggested we copy New Zealand and ban the drive-through at the bottle shop. Another classic was from the member for Braitling who suggested we could open bottle shops earlier in Alice Springs, but close them four hours earlier. Monday to Friday, that would mean closing bottle shops in Alice Springs at 5 pm ...
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Ms LAWRIE: They have no credibility. Terry Mills has committed to overturning the government’s alcohol reforms and putting 858 people back on tap ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Treasurer well knows the rules of this House and she should refer to members accordingly.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat.
Ms LAWRIE: The member for Blain, AKA the Leader of the Opposition, at the moment, has repeatedly said they will revoke the Banned Drinker Register and put those 858 people who are being refused sale back on tap. He is ignoring the fact that 60% of crime is fuelled by alcohol. Do you want to see those assaults and domestic violence continue? You are ignoring the link between ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016