The NT Government will waive the fee for two key forms of ID in preparation for the return of the Banned Drinker Register next month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Trials on the BDR begin in Katherine only next week.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles today said the fees for Birth Certificates and Evidence of Age cards will be waived from August 21 to ensure all Territorians can be prepared for the BDR.
“Territorians want and deserve to live in safe and vibrant communities. The BDR will make our communities safer by blocking problem drinkers from buying takeaway alcohol and redirecting them to appropriate treatment and rehabilitation,” Ms Fyles said.
“The BDR will return on September 1 and all Territorians and visiting tourists will need to show an approved form of ID to buy takeaway alcohol.
“We know that alcohol is an important part of many Territorians social and recreational lives, but we have to recognise that the Territory’s rates of alcohol-related harm is unacceptable.”
It was a Labor government that first introduced the BDR in the Territory and Police described it as the best tool they had for tackling alcohol related crime, violence and anti-social behaviour.
“The CLP scrapped it in 2012 before rushing in an ineffective and costly Alcohol Mandatory Treatment (AMT) program,” Ms Fyles said.
“The Territory Labor Government promised Territorians we would bring back the BDR and scrap AMT – and we are delivering.”
Acceptable forms of ID for BDR scanning includes:
- Australian or most International Driver’s Licences
- Evidence of Age card
- Australian or Most International Passports
- Northern Territory Ochre card
- Australia Post Keypass card
Ms Fyles said not all Territorians have up to date photo identification.
“We understand that some people may have lost their ID, need to update their ID after changing their name, or live remotely and have let their ID lapse,” Ms Fyles said.
“That’s why we are providing a six month waiver on fees for Birth Certificates (including name changes) from the Northern Territory Office of Births Deaths and Marriages and Evidence of Age cards from the Motor Vehicle Registry.”
Scanning of ID’s will start in six regional communities next week to test the scanning devices.