People’s Alcohol Action Coalition launch new complaint against Alice Springs Brewery

A Red Centre brewery is back under the scrutiny of the Territory’s Liquor Commission, according to a local alcohol action group, that says it has lodged a new complaint against the venue. Find out why.

Alice Springs Brewing Co. Picture: Gera Kazakov

An Alice Springs-based alcohol action group says it has got the Territory’s Liquor Commission’s crosshairs back on a local brewery – months after the venue’s licence conditions were varied.

People’s Alcohol Action Coalition (PAAC) spokesperson John Boffa said the group had filed another complaint against the Alice Springs Brewing Co, hoping the commission would re-examine its takeaway sales.

Mr Boffa said the newly filed complaint by PAAC sought the commission to have a “second look” at the brewery.

People’s Alcohol Action Coalition spokesperson John Boffa. Picture: File

“The Bush Telegraph’s now absolutely worked. So people from remote communities who are living on alcohol prohibited land all know that if they come to Alice, they can buy takeaway alcohol from this outlet seven days a week,” he said.

“There are no PALIs (Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors), they’re not restricted in any way unless they’re on the BDR (Banned Drinkers Register), and only a small proportion of heavy and problematic drinkers are on the BDR.”

Mr Boffa said this information came from “Aboriginal leaders and people who’ve been in remote communities”.

Currently, the Alice Springs brewery can sell takeaway alcohol on Monday and Tuesday, while other vendors in town are prohibited from doing so.

This is due to alcohol restrictions which were brought into Alice Springs in 2023 to combat a rise in alcohol related crime in the town, due to the lapse of the Stronger Futures legislation.

“We’re not suggesting the licence is at fault, but when the government agreed with the Prime Minister to introduce the two takeaway free days and the new restrictions, bringing back the Stronger Futures provisions, at that point, this licence should have been included and it wasn’t,” Mr Boffa said.

Takeaway sales at the brewery were upheld in September 2024, when the NT Liquor Commission published a review into its liquor license, deeming it “in the public interest” the venue continued takeaway sales.

Alice Springs Brewing Co. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The review was brought about at the request of PAAC, and the commission did vary the hours the venue was allowed to sell takeaway alcohol.

Mr Boffa further alleged the brewery had “queue up lines” made up of “people coming out from remote communities”.

He said he did not have photographic evidence of the lines to support his allegation.

“We haven’t actually had anyone go and take pictures. It’s a bit hard because it can be quite risky taking pictures of those sorts of queues,” he said.

“We’re suggesting to the licencing commission, that’s what they should do.

“It shouldn’t be up to us to actually have to collect that evidence.

“It should be the licencing inspectors that are pretty able to take pictures and observe and see what’s going on in terms of those queues.”

The new complaint was filed on Sunday, March 3, Mr Boffa said.

PAAC has opposed the brewery since it was first proposed in 2018.

This masthead sent questions to the Liquor Commission asking if there would be a public hearing for PAAC’s complaint, and when the public could expect a decision to be made.

The commission declined to comment.

NT Police directed questions from this masthead back to the Liquor Commission.

Alice Springs Brewing Co owner Kyle Pearson was contacted for comment.

Originally published as People’s Alcohol Action Coalition launch new complaint against Alice Springs Brewery