Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2009-11-25
I would like to remind the member for Fong Lim of Standing Order 62, Madam Speaker.
Attorney-General, can you update the House on the level of alcohol-fuelled violence in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, alcohol is a factor in 65% of all assaults in Alice Springs, and the victims of 73% of assaults are women. Around 80% of domestic violence is alcohol related. Tragically, an Aboriginal woman is 24 times more likely to be a victim of violence than other people in Alice Springs. This is why this government has taken such tough action to address alcohol-fuelled violence and crime. Our Alcohol Management Plan in Alice Springs includes supply restrictions; ID systems; more police on patrols; more rehabilitation and treatment; and prohibition orders through the alcohol courts.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The Menzies report found that, since the introduction of the Alice Springs Alcohol Management Plan I referred to, alcohol sales have been reduced by 18%, and serious assaults, stabbings and the like, have been cut by 21%. On the day the Menzies report was released in June, the member for Greatorex said, on 8HA, that people were less aggressive as a result of liquor not being available before 2 pm. He said the evidence in the report could not be ignored, and then he ignored it.
Alcohol abuse affects everyone. The CLP want to reopen the rivers of grog in Alice Springs.
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Like the member for Johnston, I do not enjoy being very close to the member for Karama, however, my point of order is this: the Menzies report did not find what the Attorney-General asserts; she should not mislead the parliament.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen, there is no point of order. Resume your seat.
Ms LAWRIE: The Menzies report found, in terms of serious assault ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … a 21% reduction. Would the Country Liberals want to reopen the rivers of grog in Alice Springs, to increase crime, increase domestic violence, and adversely affect the lives of so many people in the Centre? The head of surgery at Alice Springs Hospital …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: All they know how to do is to insult. The head of surgery at Alice Springs Hospital, Dr Jacob, was asked if a 50% cut in the number of stabbings in Alice Springs coincided with the start of alcohol restrictions. His answer: ‘Yes, very clear’. The CEO of AMSANT, the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, John Paterson, said: ‘The evidence is there. Reduction in alcohol availability leads to a reduction in consumption and a reduction in the savage, personal and social costs of alcohol abuse’. White Ribbon Day Ambassador, Russell Goldflam …
Ms Carney interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Araluen!
Ms LAWRIE: He is actually highly regarded and respected by many, even though the member for Araluen mocks.
The White Ribbon Day Ambassador, Russell Goldflam, said: ‘Over the last three years, serious violence in the Alice has significantly declined and, unless we fix alcohol first, all other things we do are going to fail’.
That truly sums up, through the mouths of experts, respected people, why the CLP’s plan to reopen the rivers of grog in Alice Springs is just so irresponsible and so very, very wrong.
Attorney-General, can you update the House on the level of alcohol-fuelled violence in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, alcohol is a factor in 65% of all assaults in Alice Springs, and the victims of 73% of assaults are women. Around 80% of domestic violence is alcohol related. Tragically, an Aboriginal woman is 24 times more likely to be a victim of violence than other people in Alice Springs. This is why this government has taken such tough action to address alcohol-fuelled violence and crime. Our Alcohol Management Plan in Alice Springs includes supply restrictions; ID systems; more police on patrols; more rehabilitation and treatment; and prohibition orders through the alcohol courts.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The Menzies report found that, since the introduction of the Alice Springs Alcohol Management Plan I referred to, alcohol sales have been reduced by 18%, and serious assaults, stabbings and the like, have been cut by 21%. On the day the Menzies report was released in June, the member for Greatorex said, on 8HA, that people were less aggressive as a result of liquor not being available before 2 pm. He said the evidence in the report could not be ignored, and then he ignored it.
Alcohol abuse affects everyone. The CLP want to reopen the rivers of grog in Alice Springs.
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Like the member for Johnston, I do not enjoy being very close to the member for Karama, however, my point of order is this: the Menzies report did not find what the Attorney-General asserts; she should not mislead the parliament.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen, there is no point of order. Resume your seat.
Ms LAWRIE: The Menzies report found, in terms of serious assault ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … a 21% reduction. Would the Country Liberals want to reopen the rivers of grog in Alice Springs, to increase crime, increase domestic violence, and adversely affect the lives of so many people in the Centre? The head of surgery at Alice Springs Hospital …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: All they know how to do is to insult. The head of surgery at Alice Springs Hospital, Dr Jacob, was asked if a 50% cut in the number of stabbings in Alice Springs coincided with the start of alcohol restrictions. His answer: ‘Yes, very clear’. The CEO of AMSANT, the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, John Paterson, said: ‘The evidence is there. Reduction in alcohol availability leads to a reduction in consumption and a reduction in the savage, personal and social costs of alcohol abuse’. White Ribbon Day Ambassador, Russell Goldflam …
Ms Carney interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Araluen!
Ms LAWRIE: He is actually highly regarded and respected by many, even though the member for Araluen mocks.
The White Ribbon Day Ambassador, Russell Goldflam, said: ‘Over the last three years, serious violence in the Alice has significantly declined and, unless we fix alcohol first, all other things we do are going to fail’.
That truly sums up, through the mouths of experts, respected people, why the CLP’s plan to reopen the rivers of grog in Alice Springs is just so irresponsible and so very, very wrong.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016