Residents of Australia’s Northern Territory have been plagued by alcohol related crimes and have urged the government to come to their aid. Drink-related social problems in the ‘Red Centre’ have even led federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to call for a second federal intervention in towns such as Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine.
Government figures show alcohol-related crime and illness costs the NT $642 million each year or $4,197 per adult, compared to $943 per adult nationally. Almost 70 per cent of domestic violence assaults in the NT are alcohol related, and alcohol-related deaths in the NT are three times higher than the national average. Between 2000 and 2005, 48 per cent of road deaths in the NT involved alcohol.
The NT government had stopped a television advertising campaign, paid for by a group of local residents, showing young Aborigines roaming the streets of Alice Springs at night calling the ad derogatory to the town’s reputation. Other critics had argued that the ads racially vilified indigenous Australians.
To fight the massive alcohol problem afflicting the region, NT Minister for Alcohol Policy Delia Lawrie has introduced what she says are the country's toughest ever alcohol reforms. “Too much alcohol-fuelled violence and antisocial behaviour are occurring right across the territory…We're stepping up to the plate with the toughest reforms in our nation and we believe the toughest reforms in the world.”
The reforms were unveiled at a special Alice Springs sitting of the parliament. They include a register of banned drinkers, tougher penalties for licensed premises and the illegal trade of alcohol, an alcohol tribunal and mandatory rehabilitation for problem drinkers. The hope is that the changes will not only reduce drink-related crime and violence but also ease the heavy burden problem drinkers place on the judicial system.
Takeaway outlets across the Northern Territory will have to make buyers swipe their identification to see if they are banned from buying alcohol. The new rule is designed to stamp out problem drinkers and reduce alcohol-related crime. “An ID system will be used across the Territory at all takeaway outlets,” Lawrie said. “You'll swipe your ID, it takes less than seven seconds…It's a minor inconvenience but, we'll be turning problem drinkers off tap for the first time in the history of the Territory.”
“We're introducing these reforms for mandated rehabilitation through a new tribunal for people who aren't criminals but are habitual drunks… Our society is sick of the harms that are caused by the problem drinkers,” Ms Lawrie said. “It will be illegal to supply a minor…In terms of in the home, common sense should prevail so responsible supply is okay,” she added.
Opposition spokesman for alcohol policy Peter Styles criticized the government's reforms, saying they would lead to a boost in alcohol running and the sly alcohol trade. He said a Country Liberal government would introduce a habitual drunk program offering a rehabilitation program to people taken into custody more than three times in six months. When informed that a similar scheme was among the proposed reforms, Mr Styles replied, “If the final bill that comes out is copying what we're proposing then I applaud the government for taking up our initiative.”
From July 1, if the reforms are passed by parliament, people taken into custody three times in three months will be put on a banned drinker register. “You cannot purchase, possess or consume alcohol, and if you keep repeating those offences and those breaches ... your banned period will increase,” Ms Lawrie said. She said problem drinkers could have the period of the ban reduced by attending rehabilitation treatment.
Funding for the reforms is expected to be announced when the NT budget is delivered in May.
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