Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2012-05-03
Despite the negative carping of the members opposite, the Enough is Enough alcohol reforms are the most comprehensive in the nation. Can you please inform the House how Budget 2012-13 supports the alcohol reforms?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the support of my colleagues in increasing the investment into the Enough is Enough reforms in Budget 2012-13. In total, over five years, it is a $71m investment to support the reforms. Budget 2012-13 delivers $18.2m to tackle alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour, increased treatment services, and greater support for the Banned Drinker Register.
Since the BDR commenced on 1 July last year, there are now more than 2300 problem drinkers registered on the BDR ...
Mr Tollner: They are still drinking!
Ms LAWRIE: ... and alcohol-related assaults have dropped across the Territory. I table ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: ... the nine-month report into the Enough is Enough alcohol reforms. Budget 2012-13 delivers almost $4m more for treatment services, including remote alcohol and other drug treatment services, and $2m for withdrawal support and community-based outreach services.
Today, we continue to build on these reforms by passage of the Liquor and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. Police and the tribunal now have additional tools to get the problem drinkers out of public places and into rehabilitation. Through this legislation passed today, police have the power to issue an on-the-spot infringement notice of $70 to people drinking in a public place within 2 km of licensed premises and causing a nuisance. Police will still be able to tip grog out, but an infringement notice, linked to the BDR, increases the ability to target repeat offenders and direct them into treatment. Three infringement notices in 12 months and the problem drinker will be on the BDR.
The legislation also increases the power of the tribunal to get those problem drinkers into rehab, including subjecting problem drinkers to income management for those who are on welfare once the federal legislation passes.
As I said, there are more than 2300 problem drinkers on the Banned Drinker Register in the first nine months of the Enough is Enough reforms. Police data shows that over the period alcohol-related assaults dropped Territory-wide by 2.1% ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Sanderson, member for Katherine, and member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: ... they are down 7.4% in Darwin; 13.5% in Palmerston; 4.4% in Alice Springs; and 7.6% in Katherine. This is data directly off the police PROMIS system. If you remove the domestic violence-related assaults from that data, alcohol-fuelled assaults dropped, Territory-wide, by 9.5%. The police say the Banned Drinker Register has been the best tool they have been given to tackle recidivist drunks. Under the CLP, they would scrap it - 2300 problem drinkers would be turned back on tap.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the support of my colleagues in increasing the investment into the Enough is Enough reforms in Budget 2012-13. In total, over five years, it is a $71m investment to support the reforms. Budget 2012-13 delivers $18.2m to tackle alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour, increased treatment services, and greater support for the Banned Drinker Register.
Since the BDR commenced on 1 July last year, there are now more than 2300 problem drinkers registered on the BDR ...
Mr Tollner: They are still drinking!
Ms LAWRIE: ... and alcohol-related assaults have dropped across the Territory. I table ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: ... the nine-month report into the Enough is Enough alcohol reforms. Budget 2012-13 delivers almost $4m more for treatment services, including remote alcohol and other drug treatment services, and $2m for withdrawal support and community-based outreach services.
Today, we continue to build on these reforms by passage of the Liquor and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. Police and the tribunal now have additional tools to get the problem drinkers out of public places and into rehabilitation. Through this legislation passed today, police have the power to issue an on-the-spot infringement notice of $70 to people drinking in a public place within 2 km of licensed premises and causing a nuisance. Police will still be able to tip grog out, but an infringement notice, linked to the BDR, increases the ability to target repeat offenders and direct them into treatment. Three infringement notices in 12 months and the problem drinker will be on the BDR.
The legislation also increases the power of the tribunal to get those problem drinkers into rehab, including subjecting problem drinkers to income management for those who are on welfare once the federal legislation passes.
As I said, there are more than 2300 problem drinkers on the Banned Drinker Register in the first nine months of the Enough is Enough reforms. Police data shows that over the period alcohol-related assaults dropped Territory-wide by 2.1% ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Sanderson, member for Katherine, and member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: ... they are down 7.4% in Darwin; 13.5% in Palmerston; 4.4% in Alice Springs; and 7.6% in Katherine. This is data directly off the police PROMIS system. If you remove the domestic violence-related assaults from that data, alcohol-fuelled assaults dropped, Territory-wide, by 9.5%. The police say the Banned Drinker Register has been the best tool they have been given to tackle recidivist drunks. Under the CLP, they would scrap it - 2300 problem drinkers would be turned back on tap.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016