Mr GUNNER - 2009-10-20
We know that alcohol is the cause of many issues facing Territorians. Can you please outline to the House the types of initiatives this government is taking on to address these challenges, particularly in relation to Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is a very serious issue. I recall, when I was asked during the Estimates about alcohol consumption in the Territory, I quoted the Menzies School of Health Research, which indicated that Territorians are the biggest drinkers in the world. We surpassed the Irish and we surpassed the Czechs. I have to tell you, I was not very proud when a friend from overseas sent an article from the Ethiopian Times citing that Territorians are the biggest drinkers in the world)
In 2008, we consumed 2.7 million litres of pure alcohol. In 2008, it was the first time we have seen a reduction in the consumption of alcohol. There was a reduction in Katherine by 14%; in Nhulunbuy by 22%; in Alice Springs by 18%. This reduction is actually a 19% reduction in the consumption of cask wine; and mixed spirits reduced by 21% compared to 2007.
Madam Speaker, the statistics are frightening, and when I read about this, I am really not very proud. In 2006, Alice Springs consumed 135 000 litres of cask wine. That dropped to fewer than 20 000 litres in 2008. Why did it happen? Because we put measures in Alice Springs, we put in restrictions.
I was shocked and very disappointed - I have a great respect for the member for Araluen, but I have to tell you, the proposal to bring back the opening hours to 10 am is extremely disappointing.
Ms Carney: We look forward to this debate in Alice Springs.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen!
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, I was disappointed to hear the member for Braitling say that of course the drinkers will buy alcohol; they buy over the Internet from the liquor suppliers. I wanted to find out, so I asked the department to look into it. They spoke to Australia Post, the biggest courier in Alice Springs, and they spoke to other couriers. The reply from them was that they had not seen any significant increase of alcohol, but …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: … with a laptop that would allow them to order from Cellarmasters in Sydney, plenty of casks of wine, delivered in 10 days.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: Now, let us get real. Alcohol is a big problem. Yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition was asking questions about assaults, and we have told him, time after time, and the Police Commissioner told him, that the biggest problem with assaults and any other crimes are that they are alcohol related.
I find it disappointing that he has been very silent on this. ,He listens to his colleagues; one suggests to change the opening hours to 10 am, increasing the time that people can consume alcohol, and the other is saying, ‘oh, they order it over the Internet’, and he stays silent there, not saying anything, not pulling them back into order.
This is a crazy suggestion, bringing back the opening hours to 10 o’clock, increasing the drinking time for another four hours.
It is about time they had some leadership …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: … it is about time they recognised alcohol is the real problem, and he should pull his members into order.
Mr Conlan: If it is such a success and not an imposition, why do you not do it in Darwin?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr Conlan: Why do you not …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you do not have the call.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is a very serious issue. I recall, when I was asked during the Estimates about alcohol consumption in the Territory, I quoted the Menzies School of Health Research, which indicated that Territorians are the biggest drinkers in the world. We surpassed the Irish and we surpassed the Czechs. I have to tell you, I was not very proud when a friend from overseas sent an article from the Ethiopian Times citing that Territorians are the biggest drinkers in the world)
In 2008, we consumed 2.7 million litres of pure alcohol. In 2008, it was the first time we have seen a reduction in the consumption of alcohol. There was a reduction in Katherine by 14%; in Nhulunbuy by 22%; in Alice Springs by 18%. This reduction is actually a 19% reduction in the consumption of cask wine; and mixed spirits reduced by 21% compared to 2007.
Madam Speaker, the statistics are frightening, and when I read about this, I am really not very proud. In 2006, Alice Springs consumed 135 000 litres of cask wine. That dropped to fewer than 20 000 litres in 2008. Why did it happen? Because we put measures in Alice Springs, we put in restrictions.
I was shocked and very disappointed - I have a great respect for the member for Araluen, but I have to tell you, the proposal to bring back the opening hours to 10 am is extremely disappointing.
Ms Carney: We look forward to this debate in Alice Springs.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen!
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, I was disappointed to hear the member for Braitling say that of course the drinkers will buy alcohol; they buy over the Internet from the liquor suppliers. I wanted to find out, so I asked the department to look into it. They spoke to Australia Post, the biggest courier in Alice Springs, and they spoke to other couriers. The reply from them was that they had not seen any significant increase of alcohol, but …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: … with a laptop that would allow them to order from Cellarmasters in Sydney, plenty of casks of wine, delivered in 10 days.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: Now, let us get real. Alcohol is a big problem. Yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition was asking questions about assaults, and we have told him, time after time, and the Police Commissioner told him, that the biggest problem with assaults and any other crimes are that they are alcohol related.
I find it disappointing that he has been very silent on this. ,He listens to his colleagues; one suggests to change the opening hours to 10 am, increasing the time that people can consume alcohol, and the other is saying, ‘oh, they order it over the Internet’, and he stays silent there, not saying anything, not pulling them back into order.
This is a crazy suggestion, bringing back the opening hours to 10 o’clock, increasing the drinking time for another four hours.
It is about time they had some leadership …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: … it is about time they recognised alcohol is the real problem, and he should pull his members into order.
Mr Conlan: If it is such a success and not an imposition, why do you not do it in Darwin?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr Conlan: Why do you not …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you do not have the call.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016