Mr GUNNER - 2009-06-11
Can you update the House on the outcome of the Menzies’s review of alcohol restrictions in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, today I launched the report of the review conducted by the Menzies School of Health Research on the evaluation of the Alice Springs Alcohol Management Plan. In the Territory, we have a serious alcohol problem. We have to recognise that, and something has to be done, not only in Alice Springs, but in other places in the Territory.
I read this report. For me, it was an eye opener, because this report goes back in time. It actually states the number of reviews and initiatives taken through the years in order to curb the problem of drinking in Alice Springs. I was astounded to find that, in 1973, there was a review by the federal government. That review stated that, in 1975, in Alice Springs, 762 000 gallons of beer was sold; 724 000 gallons of wine; and, 16 800 gallons of spirits. That report was followed later by another report which said that, in Alice Springs in 1990, 27.1 litres of pure alcohol per person per year was the average consumption. In another report - the statistics are staggering –$24.3m of alcohol was sold in the year 1998-99.
There is a history in Alice Springs, unfortunately, of high alcohol consumption. That does not reflect on any particular group; it reflects on the whole community. Another later report found that if you factor out the consumption by Indigenous drinkers, the non-Indigenous people in Central Australia still drink 52% more than any average Australian.
Something had to be done; we could not continue like that. The issue of alcohol does not affect a particular person or a particular group, it affects the whole community. Our government is the first one which took some steps.
I have to admit that the CLP tried to do some things. They tried to introduce dry towns. I recall when the member for Greatorex was working at 8HA, on 22 March 2006, he objected to dry towns. He said the dry town idea was locking the door after the horse has bolted. However, then he changed his tune. In July 2007, he said: ‘The CLP has been pushing for dry towns for a while now, so the dry town idea is a positive step forward for Alice Springs’. Any measure to curb the consumption of alcohol and the effect of alcohol on the community is a positive ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: I thank him for his comment today on the radio about the report. He said the report contains a lot of positive things and we have to look at it. I agree: the whole community in Alice Springs wants something to be done about alcohol. Alcohol is a problem. Alcohol costs the community - emotionally and financially. The good thing about this report is that it identifies that the restrictions we have put in place in Alice Springs are working. There has been an 18% reduction in the consumption of alcohol. That translates to 544 4 litre casks a day less, every day, consumed in Alice Springs - 544 4 litre casks not sold in Alice Springs every day; an 18% reduction.
However, we have to do more, and I know that. Restriction is not the only measure. We have to look at other issues, such as restrict supply; we have put in $9.4m to increase the number of rehabilitation beds in Alice Springs. We have to work as a community. We cannot say it is their fault, it is not our fault. It does not matter whose fault it is, the effects of alcohol affect the whole community of Alice Springs - the whole community of Central Australia. The restrictions are the first step. There is more to be done, and we are committed to do anything it takes to ensure that the community in Alice Springs is not affected by the scourge of alcohol.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, today I launched the report of the review conducted by the Menzies School of Health Research on the evaluation of the Alice Springs Alcohol Management Plan. In the Territory, we have a serious alcohol problem. We have to recognise that, and something has to be done, not only in Alice Springs, but in other places in the Territory.
I read this report. For me, it was an eye opener, because this report goes back in time. It actually states the number of reviews and initiatives taken through the years in order to curb the problem of drinking in Alice Springs. I was astounded to find that, in 1973, there was a review by the federal government. That review stated that, in 1975, in Alice Springs, 762 000 gallons of beer was sold; 724 000 gallons of wine; and, 16 800 gallons of spirits. That report was followed later by another report which said that, in Alice Springs in 1990, 27.1 litres of pure alcohol per person per year was the average consumption. In another report - the statistics are staggering –$24.3m of alcohol was sold in the year 1998-99.
There is a history in Alice Springs, unfortunately, of high alcohol consumption. That does not reflect on any particular group; it reflects on the whole community. Another later report found that if you factor out the consumption by Indigenous drinkers, the non-Indigenous people in Central Australia still drink 52% more than any average Australian.
Something had to be done; we could not continue like that. The issue of alcohol does not affect a particular person or a particular group, it affects the whole community. Our government is the first one which took some steps.
I have to admit that the CLP tried to do some things. They tried to introduce dry towns. I recall when the member for Greatorex was working at 8HA, on 22 March 2006, he objected to dry towns. He said the dry town idea was locking the door after the horse has bolted. However, then he changed his tune. In July 2007, he said: ‘The CLP has been pushing for dry towns for a while now, so the dry town idea is a positive step forward for Alice Springs’. Any measure to curb the consumption of alcohol and the effect of alcohol on the community is a positive ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: I thank him for his comment today on the radio about the report. He said the report contains a lot of positive things and we have to look at it. I agree: the whole community in Alice Springs wants something to be done about alcohol. Alcohol is a problem. Alcohol costs the community - emotionally and financially. The good thing about this report is that it identifies that the restrictions we have put in place in Alice Springs are working. There has been an 18% reduction in the consumption of alcohol. That translates to 544 4 litre casks a day less, every day, consumed in Alice Springs - 544 4 litre casks not sold in Alice Springs every day; an 18% reduction.
However, we have to do more, and I know that. Restriction is not the only measure. We have to look at other issues, such as restrict supply; we have put in $9.4m to increase the number of rehabilitation beds in Alice Springs. We have to work as a community. We cannot say it is their fault, it is not our fault. It does not matter whose fault it is, the effects of alcohol affect the whole community of Alice Springs - the whole community of Central Australia. The restrictions are the first step. There is more to be done, and we are committed to do anything it takes to ensure that the community in Alice Springs is not affected by the scourge of alcohol.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016