Mrs BRAHAM - 2007-08-22
We have just heard the Chief Minister list the number of restrictions that Alice Springs will enjoy, if I can say that. One restriction that has been identified is a grog-free day …
Ms Martin: No, no. Takeaway-free day; very different.
Mrs BRAHAM: Takeaway alcohol-free day, photo ID for purchasing your alcohol. We already have different trading hours from Darwin. We already have restrictions on times that we can purchase certain products. Today, you tabled legislation further targeting licensing, alcohol targets and abuse. Would it not make sense to have common laws across the Territory? Would it not make sense for our tourists to know when they went to Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin that there would be the same trading hours, the same products would be available, and the same rules would apply? If it is an alcohol-free, takeaway-free day, would it not make sense also to apply that to Darwin as to the rest of the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. This government has always adopted and upheld a region-by-region approach on this important issue of alcohol and alcohol management plans. We are also a government that, over the past five years, has implemented and developed many strategies around alcohol, and has brought legislation into this parliament in relation to dry areas. The Alice Springs Town Council, and also the Katherine Town Council and some parts of Darwin have taken advantage of that dry areas legislation.
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Please let me finish, member for Braitling.
Mrs Braham: I hope they are the same laws for everyone.
Dr BURNS: I am saying that this is a government which has taken action on alcohol. You were part of a government previously, before you had this new life as an Independent, which basically, in many ways, sat on its hands in terms of alcohol.
Mrs Braham: No. We had Living with Alcohol.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Dr BURNS: We are a government that stands by a region-by-region approach. That is something we have been trying to emphasise to the Commonwealth government also. We do not believe a one-size-fits-all approach is appropriate. We will continue to do that, and we will continue to work with local communities. I do not like restrictions, along with everyone else, but the fact is, there is an alcohol problem in the Northern Territory. There is excessive consumption of alcohol. The ‘rivers of grog’ have been highlighted in this report, the effects of the rivers of grog and, unfortunately, we have to go down these paths. It is very important to realise that.
We all want to see a reduction in alcohol consumption amongst those groups where it is a problem. Unfortunately, alcohol restrictions are part of that solution, together with reducing demand amongst those groups. We have outlined that very clearly in our response to this report and in Closing the Gap.
In respect of your specific question about a takeaway free day in Alice Springs, the Chief Minister and I attended the Alcohol Reference Group in Alice Springs last week. The issue was raised and, as the Chief Minister said, there were opposing views around the table. Some people had a lot of evidence about alcohol-free days, other people believed it did not work and they also pointed to the experience of Tennant Creek with alcohol-free days.
The undertakings that were given at the Alcohol Reference Group were these – first, we need to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures which have been implemented thus far. That evaluation needs to be an independent evaluation. The results of that evaluation need to be effectively communicated to the people of Alice Springs. The issue of an alcohol-free day is on the table for further discussion. In my discussion with the licensees, I believe the top priority, for government at least, is an ID system. We are working with the licensees to get the most effective system for their operations and business. The takeaway-free day is certainly on the table. It is there for more discussion, and I have outlined to you where we are in that discussion.
Ms Martin: No, no. Takeaway-free day; very different.
Mrs BRAHAM: Takeaway alcohol-free day, photo ID for purchasing your alcohol. We already have different trading hours from Darwin. We already have restrictions on times that we can purchase certain products. Today, you tabled legislation further targeting licensing, alcohol targets and abuse. Would it not make sense to have common laws across the Territory? Would it not make sense for our tourists to know when they went to Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin that there would be the same trading hours, the same products would be available, and the same rules would apply? If it is an alcohol-free, takeaway-free day, would it not make sense also to apply that to Darwin as to the rest of the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. This government has always adopted and upheld a region-by-region approach on this important issue of alcohol and alcohol management plans. We are also a government that, over the past five years, has implemented and developed many strategies around alcohol, and has brought legislation into this parliament in relation to dry areas. The Alice Springs Town Council, and also the Katherine Town Council and some parts of Darwin have taken advantage of that dry areas legislation.
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Please let me finish, member for Braitling.
Mrs Braham: I hope they are the same laws for everyone.
Dr BURNS: I am saying that this is a government which has taken action on alcohol. You were part of a government previously, before you had this new life as an Independent, which basically, in many ways, sat on its hands in terms of alcohol.
Mrs Braham: No. We had Living with Alcohol.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Dr BURNS: We are a government that stands by a region-by-region approach. That is something we have been trying to emphasise to the Commonwealth government also. We do not believe a one-size-fits-all approach is appropriate. We will continue to do that, and we will continue to work with local communities. I do not like restrictions, along with everyone else, but the fact is, there is an alcohol problem in the Northern Territory. There is excessive consumption of alcohol. The ‘rivers of grog’ have been highlighted in this report, the effects of the rivers of grog and, unfortunately, we have to go down these paths. It is very important to realise that.
We all want to see a reduction in alcohol consumption amongst those groups where it is a problem. Unfortunately, alcohol restrictions are part of that solution, together with reducing demand amongst those groups. We have outlined that very clearly in our response to this report and in Closing the Gap.
In respect of your specific question about a takeaway free day in Alice Springs, the Chief Minister and I attended the Alcohol Reference Group in Alice Springs last week. The issue was raised and, as the Chief Minister said, there were opposing views around the table. Some people had a lot of evidence about alcohol-free days, other people believed it did not work and they also pointed to the experience of Tennant Creek with alcohol-free days.
The undertakings that were given at the Alcohol Reference Group were these – first, we need to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures which have been implemented thus far. That evaluation needs to be an independent evaluation. The results of that evaluation need to be effectively communicated to the people of Alice Springs. The issue of an alcohol-free day is on the table for further discussion. In my discussion with the licensees, I believe the top priority, for government at least, is an ID system. We are working with the licensees to get the most effective system for their operations and business. The takeaway-free day is certainly on the table. It is there for more discussion, and I have outlined to you where we are in that discussion.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016