The TerritoryLabor Government is delivering safer communities and creating a better futurefor our children with the Alcohol Harm Minimisation Action Plan.
We committed tocomprehensive evaluation of the alcohol harm reduction measures and theAustralian Research Council (ARC) on Friday announced the research projectproposal on Northern Territory Alcohol Reforms has been approved with fundingof $1.19 million.
The projectinvolves an extensive team of national leaders in alcohol harm reduction policyand research, linking with Northern Territory clinical service providers toprovide a comprehensive evaluation of our innovative alcohol harm reductionreforms.
The projectwill investigate the long term impact of the Banned Drinker Register, and ourother measures in the Northern Territory, on reducing alcohol related harm. Thestudy will use qualitative and quantitative methods across urban and remotelocations to assess the impacts.
We havecommitted to thorough evaluation of all components of the alcohol reforms andthis complements other evaluation projects that have been delivered:
Sobering Up Shelter Review
Banned Drinker Register 6 month and 12 month evaluation
Treatment Demand Study
Social and Economic Costs of Alcohol Consumption inthe NT.
The partners inthe research project team investigating the impact of the Banned DrinkersRegister are:
DeakinUniversity
NTGovernment
MenziesSchool of Health Research
CurtinUniversity
LaTrobe University
CentralAustralia Aboriginal Congress
NorthernTerritory PHN
AboriginalMedical Services Alliance NT
SouthAustralian Medical and Health Research Institute
Foundationof Alcohol Research and Education
TurningPoint
As stated by Minister for Health, NatashaFyles:
"We areputting Territorians first with nation-leading alcohol policy and legislationto make our community safer.
Thereare early indications that our policies are having a positive impact. This researchfunding will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the Banned Drinker Registerand other alcohol harm reduction reforms we have implemented."
As stated by Australian Research Council ProjectLead, Deakin University Professor Peter Miller:
"This funding is a major step forward in the rigorous andcollaborative evaluation of important policy measures meant to save lives. Thepartnership between independent researchers and the Northern Territorygovernment will use the very best methods to ascertain what is working and how,as well as ensuring the voices of those impacted are heard and understood.
This is also asubstantial endorsement from the Australian Research Council on thecollaboration between independent researchers and government to evaluate policyoutcomes.
As stated by Central AustralianAboriginal Congress Chief Executive, Donna Ah Chee:
Congress isvery pleased that such an important longitudinal study has been funded.
"The NorthernTerritory has been leading the nation in alcohol policy reforms and it is vitalthat all measures are robustly evaluated.
"While thebenefits of these alcohol measures are obvious to anyone who has lived in AliceSprings for any length of time there is a need to carefully look at the dataand tease out the impact of the different measures.
"It isespecially important that we demonstrate the extent of the relationship betweenalcohol consumption, interpersonal violence and the potential impact on childprotection and safety.
"This study hasthe resources and expertise needed to achieve this.
