Total alcohol ban in town camps to continue to support community safety.Plan To Tackle Problem Drinking delivers certainty for communities and service providers.Part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government's commitment to restore law and order.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has released its Plan to Tackle Problem Drinking, which outlines its efforts to ensure community safety by addressing alcohol-related harms.
The Plan includes measures to ensure existing restrictions on alcohol in town camps will continue beyond 2027, Minister for Health and Alcohol Policy Steve Edgington said.
The current Interim Alcohol Protected Area restrictions, which make it illegal to bring in, possess, consume, sell or supply alcohol in outstations, Aboriginal communities and town camps, were set to expire in January 2027. The plan proposes that these restrictions will endure, so that intervention-era bans that Labor allowed to lapse will not expire.
Minister Edgington said the extension of the bans was part of the Government's clear mandate to restore law and order and put community safety first.
"We are making sure that the rivers of grog don't flow again into town camps to reduce alcohol-related violence and crime and to improve community safety and wellbeing," he said.
"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.
"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.
Minister Edgington said residents, community leaders and frontline services were working together to create safer communities and provide stronger protections for vulnerable people.
"Our Government is taking decisive action where the previous government failed to act. We will continue backing measures that reduce crime, protect families and support better outcomes for Territorians," he said.
The move complements a range of measures being implemented by the Finocchiaro CLP Government, including stronger laws, additional police resources, targeted community safety initiatives and early intervention programs.
"These measures are about protecting people and supporting safer living environments for residents," Mr Edgington said.
Following the election of the Finocchiaro CLP Government, strong action was taken after years of weak policies and an offender-led approach, shifting the focus back to victims and community safety.
The Government introduced new nuisance public drinking laws to reduce crime and improve safety after this important tool was removed by the former Labor government.
NT Police were given additional powers to enforce the law with on-the-spot infringement notices to restore order in public places.
Further changes in November 2025 provided for the extension of Banned Drinking Orders from seven days to 28 for people caught drinking alcohol in a prohibited place.
