Health and community organisations have welcomed a new report released by the Northern Territory Government, which recommends that the minimum unit price (MUP) on alcohol be continued.
An MUP on alcohol was implemented across the Territory in 2018, which resulted in a standard drink of alcohol not being sold for under $1.30.
In 2018 the Northern Territory Government introduced a comprehensive package of reforms to prevent and reduce alcohol harms. The report: Evaluation of Minimum Unit Price of Alcohol in the Northern Territory, released today by the Northern Territory Government, shows that there have been significant reductions of alcohol harms since the introduction of these reforms. This includes:
- Significant reductions of alcohol-related assaults
- Declines in the number of alcohol-related emergency department presentations per capita
- Decreases in alcohol-related road crashes across many parts of the Territory
- Large declines in child protection substantiations
- Strong decreases in the wholesale supply of cask wine.
"A comprehensive approach is needed to prevent and reduce the harms caused by alcohol. This report shows the need to stay the course on these reforms as a foundation to prioritising the health and wellbeing of Territorians," said Dr John Paterson, CEO of The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT (AMSANT).
"We support the recommendation that a minimum unit price on alcohol continues across the Territory. We also support the recommendations on the need for better collection of data. This data should guide timely policy responses aimed at prioritising the health of Territorians," Dr Paterson added.
"The report also shows that there is more work that needs to be done to keep Territorians healthy and safe. We look forward to ongoing conversations with the Government about the policies and programs needed to prevent and reduce the harms from alcohol, including ensuring that there is adequate funding for health, community and alcohol and other drug services across the Territory, said Peter Burnheim, EO of the Association of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (AADANT).
