The NT Government has introduced legislation into Parliament to bring back the Banned Drinker Register.
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The Leader of Government Business Natasha Fyles this week introduced to parliament the Alcohol Harm Reduction Bill.
“Every Territorian has the right to feel safe and enjoy vibrant communities,” Ms Fyles said.
“That’s why we’ve committed to tackling the unacceptable levels of violence and crime associated with alcohol abuse.
“The new BDR will cut off the supply of takeaway alcohol to problem drinkers – making our community safer.
“From September 1 more than 1000 problem drinkers will be placed on the BDR, and banning them from buying takeaway alcohol, and that figure could grow by more than 500 a month before tapering off.
“We promised Territorians at the last election that we would bring back the BDR and we have introduced this critical Bill to parliament.
“The new BDR model builds on the previous model, improving automatic triggers including:
- changing Protective Custody triggers from 3 in 3 months, to 3 incidents in 2 years
- changing Alcohol Related Infringement notices from 3 in 12 months to 3 in 2 years
- combining Protective Custody and Alcohol-related Infringement notices so that any combination can make up the 3 in 2 years trigger
- including the defendant on a Police DVO where alcohol was a factor in the incident
- including the single mid or high range drink driving offences
- including a second low range drink driving offence within 3 years consistent with the increased penalty for repeat low range drink driving offence in the Traffic Act
- including Child Protection Orders, where an alcohol-related condition is made as part of the order
- including where the BDR Registrar determines through a referral and/or a clinical assessment that someone is misusing alcohol and may benefit from a therapeutic support”
Minister Fyles said the legislation will streamline the system and prevent duplication of functions and powers.
“Instead of a tribunal function, a person who activates an automatic trigger goes straight onto the BDR with a Police BDO.
“A BDR Registrar will make all other determinations on who should be included on the BDR and those who have grievances can raise them with the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT).
“We know that rehabilitation is key to success and this Bill lays the foundations for effective clinical assessments and therapeutic support programs.
“The former CLP government failed Territorians when they scrapped the BDR in 2012 and failed to implement anything in its place.
“When alcohol related crime and violence spiked, they rushed in Alcohol Mandatory Treatment – a policy that the AMT evaluation highlighted as costly and ineffective in addressing addiction.
“This Bill will repeal the AMT Act and create better pathways to treatment including:
- alcohol counselling and support
- alcohol brief interventions that aim to initiate change in unhealthy or risky behaviour such as alcohol misuse
- alcohol motivational interviewing is a goal-oriented, client-centred counselling style for eliciting behaviour change
- medically supervised alcohol withdrawal and detoxification from alcohol
- intensive AOD treatment in a community setting, structured assertive day programs and/or group therapy
- residential AOD treatment
- other treatment options including mutual aid, peer mentoring and recovery champions
“Accessing these services and completing a recommended program could reduce the length of time someone has to stay on the BDR.”
The Alcohol Harm Reduction Bill is expected to pass parliament in August.
The BDR will return across the Territory on September 1.
Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
