Extension of alcohol bans in NT Aboriginal communities

From National Indigenous Times

The Northern Territory Government has announced an extension of the total alcohol ban in town camps and Aboriginal communities.

The move comes after the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) urged the government to provide certainty about how it will maintain alcohol restrictions when Interim Alcohol Protected Areas (IAPAs) expire next year.

On Thursday, the CLP Government confirmed the IAPAs — which make it illegal to bring in, possess, consume, sell or supply alcohol in outstations, Aboriginal communities and town camps — will remain in place, with residents, community leaders and frontline services continuing to play a role in community safety.

Northern Territory Minister for Health and Alcohol Policy, Steve Edgington, said the government was determined to prevent alcohol-related harm.

“Our vision is to make the Territory safer, stronger and more liveable by reducing crime, tackling problem drinking and cracking down on anti-social behaviour,” he said.

“Alcohol-fuelled violence and antisocial behaviour have had devastating impacts on too many Territory families and communities for too long. Extending these bans is a practical measure that helps reduce harm and supports safer, stronger communities.”

Earlier this month, AMSANT chief executive Donna Ah Chee warned removing the protections could repeat the social harms seen after previous alcohol restrictions lapsed in 2022.

After the Stronger Futures dry area provisions ended in July that year, police statistics recorded a 93 per cent increase in alcohol-related domestic violence assaults in Alice Springs, alongside rises in assaults, property crime and alcohol-related emergency department presentations.

On Thursday, she welcomed the government’s announcement, noting evidence shows effective alcohol supply management “reduces alcohol-related violence, trauma and harm”.

“We have seen what happens when effective protections are removed, and we have also seen the positive impact they can have when they are in place,” she said.

“The right of women and children to be safe must remain the overriding concern.”

Following the reintroduction of restrictions in 2023, data showed a 20 per cent reduction in alcohol consumption in Alice Springs, a 39 per cent fall in domestic violence presentations at Alice Springs Hospital’s emergency department during the first five months, and the prevention of around 100 hospital-treated domestic violence cases each month.

Ms Ah Chee said AMSANT looked forward to working with the government and communities to “ensure we have sensible regulation of alcohol to improve community safety, health and wellbeing across the whole Northern Territory”.