Mr GUNNER - 2011-02-22
Can you please outline to the House how the alcohol reforms target alcohol-related crime?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we would all agree in this Chamber that alcohol misuse is a serious issue in our community and is fuelling much of the crime. We know alcohol is linked to some 60% of all assaults; 67% of all domestic violence incidents in the Territory have grog as a fuel. The alcohol reforms announced by the government go to the heart of targeting the problem drinkers. Those are the drinkers committing alcohol-related crime in our community, and also significant and serious antisocial behaviour.
Wholesale alcohol figures released today show that, in 2009 compared to 2008, there has been a 1% increase in total wholesale alcohol supply in the Territory. At the same time, our population increased by 3%. The report released today shows that in some regional centres where local alcohol management plans are in place we have made some achievements. There was an 8% drop in wholesale alcohol in Alice Springs from 2006 to 2009; we are seeing a pegging back, certainly in that 2009 year. There was an 8% drop in Katherine from 2007 to 2009; and a 37% drop in Nhulunbuy from 2006 to 2009. What the figures in the wholesale data show us is that localised alcohol management plans are having an impact.
The new raft of alcohol reforms go to turning the problem drinkers off tap and mandating treatment where treatment is clearly required. These reforms will be rolled out across the Territory. Critical to this roll-out will be the roll-out of an ID system Territory-wide to enforce the bans. This means that a person who is banned from accessing alcohol in one community is banned right across the Territory. These reforms are supported across a number of sectors: the Australian Hoteliers Association, the Northern Territory Council of Social Services, Amity Community Services, FORWAARD, the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance, the People’s Alcohol Action Coalition, the Responsible Drinkers Lobby in Alice Springs, and the Liquor Association.
We know that alcohol misuse is at the heart of what is fuelling the unacceptable levels of crime and antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs and elsewhere. That is why we are going to the heart of tackling the problem drinker with tough bans and enforcement measures, with a new Alcohol and Other Drugs Tribunal, an expanded court with expanded powers with mandatory treatment powers at the tribunal and the court level. We are going to turning the problem drinker off tap. We know alcohol is fuelling crime and antisocial behaviour. That is why this government stepped up to announce the toughest reforms in our nation’s history.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we would all agree in this Chamber that alcohol misuse is a serious issue in our community and is fuelling much of the crime. We know alcohol is linked to some 60% of all assaults; 67% of all domestic violence incidents in the Territory have grog as a fuel. The alcohol reforms announced by the government go to the heart of targeting the problem drinkers. Those are the drinkers committing alcohol-related crime in our community, and also significant and serious antisocial behaviour.
Wholesale alcohol figures released today show that, in 2009 compared to 2008, there has been a 1% increase in total wholesale alcohol supply in the Territory. At the same time, our population increased by 3%. The report released today shows that in some regional centres where local alcohol management plans are in place we have made some achievements. There was an 8% drop in wholesale alcohol in Alice Springs from 2006 to 2009; we are seeing a pegging back, certainly in that 2009 year. There was an 8% drop in Katherine from 2007 to 2009; and a 37% drop in Nhulunbuy from 2006 to 2009. What the figures in the wholesale data show us is that localised alcohol management plans are having an impact.
The new raft of alcohol reforms go to turning the problem drinkers off tap and mandating treatment where treatment is clearly required. These reforms will be rolled out across the Territory. Critical to this roll-out will be the roll-out of an ID system Territory-wide to enforce the bans. This means that a person who is banned from accessing alcohol in one community is banned right across the Territory. These reforms are supported across a number of sectors: the Australian Hoteliers Association, the Northern Territory Council of Social Services, Amity Community Services, FORWAARD, the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance, the People’s Alcohol Action Coalition, the Responsible Drinkers Lobby in Alice Springs, and the Liquor Association.
We know that alcohol misuse is at the heart of what is fuelling the unacceptable levels of crime and antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs and elsewhere. That is why we are going to the heart of tackling the problem drinker with tough bans and enforcement measures, with a new Alcohol and Other Drugs Tribunal, an expanded court with expanded powers with mandatory treatment powers at the tribunal and the court level. We are going to turning the problem drinker off tap. We know alcohol is fuelling crime and antisocial behaviour. That is why this government stepped up to announce the toughest reforms in our nation’s history.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016