Mr WARREN - 2006-05-03
Everyone is aware of this government’s renewed efforts to tackle the problem of alcohol abuse in our communities. Can you please update the House on the treatment and rehabilitation services this government is providing?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his very important question. As we know, alcohol abuse is a very big problem in the Northern Territory. It rips apart our families and it can have incredibly devastating effects on entire communities.
The Martin Labor government is tackling alcohol abuse right across the board. We have an overarching, coordinated and holistic approach to the problems of antisocial behaviour in the community and, importantly, the provision of our rehabilitation services.
The Minister for Justice is overseeing the new Alcohol Court and antisocial behaviour legislation. The minister for Police has further increased police funding to target the hot spots. Community patrols have been transformed and we have seen the employment of additional ACPOs to provide patrols in Darwin. As we know, the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing oversees the implementation of the Alcohol Framework. The Minister for Local Government is overseeing a Community Harmony strategy and a Town Camps Task Force. As Minister for Family and Community Services, importantly, my agency delivers the rehabilitation programs.
The opposition has certainly been trying to be misleading in the last couple of days, trying to convince people that this government is only spending $1m on alcohol treatment. However, the opposition was caught out on radio when they were forced to admit that the figure is actually more like $20m.
In Budget 2006-07, we are implementing a strong social development program and the Alcohol and Other Drugs Division now has a budget of $20.8m. This is up from just $11.5m under the CLP. With an additional injection of $500 000, in Budget 2006-07 we will provide approximately $10.6m in grants directly to our non-government organisations that deliver these important rehabilitation services.
I thank organisations such as the Salvation Army, CAAPS, FORWAARD, ANSTI, DASA, CAAAPU, BRADAAG and Kalano for the rehabilitation services they provide across the Northern Territory. We are helping to build a healthier Territory and we are working together to provide a safer community for all Territorians.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his very important question. As we know, alcohol abuse is a very big problem in the Northern Territory. It rips apart our families and it can have incredibly devastating effects on entire communities.
The Martin Labor government is tackling alcohol abuse right across the board. We have an overarching, coordinated and holistic approach to the problems of antisocial behaviour in the community and, importantly, the provision of our rehabilitation services.
The Minister for Justice is overseeing the new Alcohol Court and antisocial behaviour legislation. The minister for Police has further increased police funding to target the hot spots. Community patrols have been transformed and we have seen the employment of additional ACPOs to provide patrols in Darwin. As we know, the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing oversees the implementation of the Alcohol Framework. The Minister for Local Government is overseeing a Community Harmony strategy and a Town Camps Task Force. As Minister for Family and Community Services, importantly, my agency delivers the rehabilitation programs.
The opposition has certainly been trying to be misleading in the last couple of days, trying to convince people that this government is only spending $1m on alcohol treatment. However, the opposition was caught out on radio when they were forced to admit that the figure is actually more like $20m.
In Budget 2006-07, we are implementing a strong social development program and the Alcohol and Other Drugs Division now has a budget of $20.8m. This is up from just $11.5m under the CLP. With an additional injection of $500 000, in Budget 2006-07 we will provide approximately $10.6m in grants directly to our non-government organisations that deliver these important rehabilitation services.
I thank organisations such as the Salvation Army, CAAPS, FORWAARD, ANSTI, DASA, CAAAPU, BRADAAG and Kalano for the rehabilitation services they provide across the Northern Territory. We are helping to build a healthier Territory and we are working together to provide a safer community for all Territorians.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016