Submissions close on Friday for the takeaway alcohol inquiry in the Alice Springs region.
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While restrictions are already in Tennant Creek, the commission today said other areas such as Katherine are not being considered for the grog crackdown.
Community based organisations, individuals and licensees have until Friday this week to make submissions into the NT Liquor Commission’s inquiry into controls on the sale of takeaway alcohol in the Alice Springs region.
NT Liquor Commission chair Richard Coates, says they have no preconceived views as to what, if any changes should be made to current license conditions in Alice Springs.
“What we do know is that the people of Central Australia want something done about alcohol fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour and we would welcome their input into our decision making process.
“Collectively, members of the commission have a significant store of knowledge in relation to the tragic consequences of alcohol abuse in central Australia and the circumstances surrounding its consumption in and near dry communities,” Mr Coates said.
Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley blew the whistle on the plans several weeks ago.
“Introducing the same extreme alcohol restrictions as Tennant Creek will come as a blow to the whole town,” she said.
“Alice Springs is a town 10 times the size of Tennant Creek. What might be accepted to some extent in Tennant Creek, will not be accepted by the people of Alice Springs. These extreme alcohol restrictions will damage our national and international reputation as a tourist destination, damage our economy and make the 99% of drinkers who drink responsibly very, very angry,” Mrs Lambley said.
“Add these new restrictions to the BDR and the Alcohol Floor Price and you have the ultimate “nanny state” where the Gunner Government is telling us all what we can drink, how much we can drink and when we can drink it. So much for population growth, this socially regressive approach to alcohol policy will send people packing.
The liquor commission’s Mr Coates said: “Many of the members have worked and lived in remote communities in central Australia including Commissioner Blair McFarland who was a parole officer stationed at Papunya in the 1980s and has worked extensively on substance abuse issues in Indigenous communities for the past 20 years and Kenton Winsley who is an Aboriginal health practitioner.
“Historically the majority of alcohol that has blighted bush communities in the centre has been sourced from Alice Springs take away outlets. The commission would be keen to receive evidence if that is no longer the case,” Mr Coates Coates said.
Individuals and community based organisations are encouraged to share their views and experiences with the Liquor Commission by sending a submission via email to liquor.commission@nt.gov.au or via post to GPO Box 1154, Darwin, NT, 0801, no later than 4pm on Friday.
Unless submissions are marked “confidential”, the Commission reserves the right to post them on its website.
Current alcohol restrictions in Tennant Creek (being considered for Alice Springs).
- You can only buy takeaway alcohol from Monday through to Saturday between 4pm and 7pm.
- You can't buy more than one of the following per day:
- 30 cans or stubbies of mid strength or light beer
- 24 cans or stubbies of full strength beer
- 12 cans or bottles of ready to drink mixes
- one two litre cask of wine
- one bottle of fortified wine
- one bottle of green ginger wine
- two 750 ml bottles of wine
- one 750 ml bottle of spirits.