The Territory Government is investing more than any previous government to tackle the long-term challenges of alcohol-related harm.
Already, we have world-leading measures including the Banned Drinker Register, the floor price, PALIs, and our risk-based licensing framework.
From today, the Liquor Amendment Act 2023 commences, meaning town camps and communities will revert to dry zones, with a clear and robust opt-out process requiring the development of a Community Alcohol Plan.
These new changes focus on local decision making, under which a Community Alcohol Plan needs to be developed by the community and approved by 60% of the community and by the Director of Liquor Licensing to opt-out, ensuring it is in the public interest and will not have significant adverse impacts.
Further targeted consultation will now also take place to develop the Regulations of the Act. These will supplement the criteria in the Act by providing the requirements for Community Alcohol Plans, including how the vote will take place, what consultation is required in the Plan's development, and the matters the plan is required to address.
An educative approach will be taken to ensure communities and licensees are aware that these restrictions are now in place.
Quotes attributed to the Chief Minister and Minister for Alcohol Policy, Natasha Fyles:
"This is a new approach. It is community-led with local decision making, and will be coupled with a major investment in the hard work of addressing the causes of alcohol misuse and anti-social behaviour.
"These restrictions are also temporary, providing us time to invest in new, smarter, long-term reforms required to break the cycle of alcohol, crime and disadvantage.
"People in the Territory want safer communities now. They also want us to address the issue at its source so that our communities continue to be safer in the future."
Northern Territory Government
