The NT Government today announced the terms of reference for its promised review of the strict laws which have placed police inside bottle shops in Katherine.

Community leaders, including Katherine Mayor Fay Miller, has warned the government from tinkering with the grog laws she claims has “cleaned up” Katherine.

The Government made an election commitment to have its banned drinkers register in place in its first year.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles today released draft terms of reference for a comprehensive review of alcohol policy.

Minister Fyles said the Government was determined to tackle the cost of alcohol abuse on our community and the review will give all Territorians an opportunity to have their voices heard.

She said Labor had consistently advocated, and implemented, a range of policies to reduce the harm caused by alcohol abuse.

“When last in Government we implemented the Banned Drinker Register (BDR), described by police as the best tool they had to fight violent crime.

“In Opposition we were clear we would reinstate the BDR and impose a moratorium on new takeaway licences.”

The Labor Party campaigned fiercely on removing the mandatory requirements of Temporary Beat Locations, handing back control to police, and using the register to help free up resources.

Back in August, Katherine Mayor Fay Miller spoke out against the Labor Party plan of leaving the current grog laws to the discretion of police.

There are more than 20 liquor licences in Katherine and police currently supervise six outlets selling retail supplies.

Mayor Miller has spoken at many public forums since August on her belief that TBLs need to be left alone.

“This has cleaned up the town and helped bring the tourists back,” she has said.

Then Labor candidate and now Member for Katherine Sandra Nelson said the Labor Party believed the reintroduction of the banned drinkers register would give police the freedom to apply TBLs where needed.

No longer would TBLs be mandatory, Labor said, before the poll.

During the election campaign, Ms Nelson said the party was not suggesting that TBLs be done away with completely, but a mix of the two would do the same job without tying up precious police resources.

Mayor Miller has said it would be a backward step to make drastic changes to the TBL policy.

“It’s not even two years and the difference has been remarkable,” she said.

“It’s noticeable but not just locals but it’s noticeable for visitors who have been away from Katherine for 12 months.”

Mayor Miller said it was important for police to at least stay at the major bottle shops in town which had the most patronage.

Police also believe the TBLs have been the single biggest reason crime rates have fallen in Katherine to their lowest levels in five years.

In July, NT Commissioner of Police Reece Kershaw said the intervention, which began in December 18, 2014 had decreased incidents of domestic violence alone by half in the first six months of operation.

Mr Kershaw also said the PBLs in Katherine had improved the town’s amenity.

Ms Nelson said during the campaign the new policy would mean the banned drink register was in every single store to support the TBL so if there was no police in attendance a machine would still be available to scan drivers’ licences.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the review was an important chance for the community to have their say and to ensure that all facets of alcohol policy complement our determination to make the Territory safer.

“An expert panel will be commissioned to look at alcohol policies and alcohol legislation, reporting to government on:

·         evidence based policy initiatives required to reduce alcohol fuelled crime

·         ensuring safe and vibrant entertainment precincts

·         the provision of alcohol service and management in remote communities

·         decision-making under the Liquor Act

·         the density of liquor licences (concentration, type, number and location of liquor licences ) and the size of liquor outlets

“Broad public consultation will be undertaken as part of the review, with multiple avenues for interested people, groups and communities to put forward their views.

“I look forward to hearing from not only the loudest and most powerful voices in our community, but also the many women, children, families and communities who all too often bear the cost of alcohol abuse in the Northern Territory."

The review will start in April with a report and recommendations delivered to government in late September 2017.

The government will then develop a response to the recommendations for the development of the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy and legislative reform agenda.

These will be released publicly along with the Expert Advisory Panel’s final report.

To view the draft terms of references go to: https://health.nt.gov.au/professionals/alcohol-and-other-drugs-health-professionals/alcohol-policies-and-legislation-review

Submissions are now being accepted at:  AODD.DOH@nt.gov.au