BloodAlcohol Limit on Vessels Deferred: Alcohol Harm Minimisation Plan UpdateReleased
The TerritoryLabor Government has decided to defer the introduction of a blood alcohol limiton Territory vessels.
A blood alcohollimit for skippers may now be considered as part of a future Maritime SafetyAgenda.
The Governmentis also ruling out a licencing or registration regime for Territory boats.
The decision isone part of the Alcohol Harm Minimisation Plan update, released today byAttorney-General Natasha Fyles.
As part of the third and final progress reportof the Alcohol Action Plan, the following major initiatives have beencompleted:
- Rewrite of the Liquor Act 1978
- Introduction of the floor price
- Establishment of the Northern Territory Liquor Commission
- Roll-out of Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors
- A demand study for alcohol treatment services in the NT
- Release of the first NT FASD Strategy
- Publication of alcohol-related data
The Liquor Act2019 represents one of the most significant initiatives to date, completingover 70 recommendations of the Riley Review.
Since therelease of the Riley Review in October 2017, Government has implemented 168 outof 219 accepted recommendations.
Ourtough alcohol measures have led to:
- a22% reduction in alcohol related assaults across the Territory, including a15.5% reduction in Darwin and a 40% reduction in Alice Springs
- a24.5% decrease in alcohol-related emergency department presentations inNorthern Territory hospitals between SeptemberDecember 2018, compared to 2017.That trend has continued in the first quarter this year with a 22% reduction.
- morethan 17,000 litres of alcohol ear-marked for illegal secondary supply have beenseized by police since the creation of the Alcohol Policing Unit
Territorians can view the reports aswell as view data on the key indicators of alcohol harm minimisation at alcoholreform.nt.gov.au
As noted byAttorney General Natasha Fyles:
Fortoo long alcohol-fuelled crime and violence has had a devastating impact on ourcommunities, homes and businesses.
TheTerritory Labor Governments alcohol reforms are working and there has beenreduction in alcohol-fuelled crime right across the Territory.
In consultation with groups such asAFANT and the Seafood Council, we have decided to defer the introduction of ablood-alcohol limit for skippers.
We feel it is logical to consider thischange in light of a broader approach to maritime safety.
