Mr MILLS - 2010-08-19
Recently, the Justice minister told reporters she would not release details of proposed alcohol restrictions because she did not want alcohol to be exploited during an election campaign, as though this is a political issue. It is actually a social problem. Given last night’s report on the ABC’s Lateline program, which showed your government’s grog reforms in Alice Springs have been an abject failure, can you be up-front with Territorians for a change and outline the details of your proposed grog bans before Saturday’s federal election?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is not an issue of principle; it is about Saturday’s election …
Mr Mills interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: You have form! You have real form, Leader of the Opposition.
In regard to Alice Springs, the Menzies report showed the government reforms were making a difference. We would all like to see a much quicker difference. We would all like to see a further significant reduction in alcohol-fuelled violence ...
Mr Mills: A difference in what way? A good or bad difference?
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, he has asked a question, please let me answer it.
The Menzies report was an independent, objective analysis and review of the reforms by a very highly-respected and regarded research institution. We will use an evidence-based approach to alcohol reforms. It is good that the media - whether it is the ABC or the NT News - engages in a community debate around what we need to do to reduce alcohol-related violence in the Northern Territory.
In regard to the reforms which are being worked through, once that has been through the due process of government in the policy decisions, the funding decisions, the structural issues, the communication with industry and other Territorians associated with that, we will release the policy.
The last time I looked, alcohol policy was really the responsibility of state and territory governments in licensing regimes. In regard to licensing regimes, the one thing we recognise is there needs to be a reduction in supply, not only in Alice Springs, but across the Territory. We have had significant reforms on Groote Eylandt which have made a significant difference there - a huge difference. Significant reforms have made a big difference in Nhulunbuy. Other parts of the Territory have been more problematic.
There is no silver bullet solution to this, but the one thing we do know is further extended trading hours and more opportunity to access alcohol does not lead to a reduction in violence. I am sure if the Leader of the Opposition was to pose the question to the Menzies School of Health Research, and ask an independent research body who are experts in this field, if more alcohol equals less violence, I know what the answer would be.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is not an issue of principle; it is about Saturday’s election …
Mr Mills interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: You have form! You have real form, Leader of the Opposition.
In regard to Alice Springs, the Menzies report showed the government reforms were making a difference. We would all like to see a much quicker difference. We would all like to see a further significant reduction in alcohol-fuelled violence ...
Mr Mills: A difference in what way? A good or bad difference?
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, he has asked a question, please let me answer it.
The Menzies report was an independent, objective analysis and review of the reforms by a very highly-respected and regarded research institution. We will use an evidence-based approach to alcohol reforms. It is good that the media - whether it is the ABC or the NT News - engages in a community debate around what we need to do to reduce alcohol-related violence in the Northern Territory.
In regard to the reforms which are being worked through, once that has been through the due process of government in the policy decisions, the funding decisions, the structural issues, the communication with industry and other Territorians associated with that, we will release the policy.
The last time I looked, alcohol policy was really the responsibility of state and territory governments in licensing regimes. In regard to licensing regimes, the one thing we recognise is there needs to be a reduction in supply, not only in Alice Springs, but across the Territory. We have had significant reforms on Groote Eylandt which have made a significant difference there - a huge difference. Significant reforms have made a big difference in Nhulunbuy. Other parts of the Territory have been more problematic.
There is no silver bullet solution to this, but the one thing we do know is further extended trading hours and more opportunity to access alcohol does not lead to a reduction in violence. I am sure if the Leader of the Opposition was to pose the question to the Menzies School of Health Research, and ask an independent research body who are experts in this field, if more alcohol equals less violence, I know what the answer would be.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016