NT government returns alcohol bans amid drafting regulations
Grog bans will be enacted in Indigenous communities and town camps from Thursday, but the government is still working on the opting out process.
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Alcohol bans will be enacted in Aboriginal communities and town camps from Thursday despite some details of the restrictions still being worked on.
Natasha Fyles said her government’s “urgent” legislation had been assented by the NT Administrator but regulations around opting out of those bans were still being drafted.
Ms Fyles said it would be at least three months before a community could hold a ballot to opt out of the restrictions.
“But there is no time frame on this, community can take as long as they wish around this issue,” she said.
“The draft regulations will be worked through and the regulations will be released as anticipated by the end of March.
“We’re working as quickly as we can on those.”
The new legislation says communities wishing to adopt an alcohol management plan “may wish to engage” the NT Electoral Commission to hold a ballot, but it is not mandatory.
Ms Fyles downplayed fears women and non-drinkers would be pressured into voting for alcohol to return.
“The bill is the law, but often the courts will refer to the Minister’s speech (and) I clearly articulated that, for communities of size, it requires a ballot,” she said.
“But if you’ve got an outstation or a homeland, that you have just a small amount of people that perhaps don’t even reside there year round, then if they are in agreement, you do not need to take that to a ballot.”
The Chief Minister also moved a motion on the Voice to parliament on Thursday, asking MLAs to make their stance on the referendum.
The CLP abstained from the vote as they urged the federal government to engage with Territorians and remote residents on the issue.
Fears remote residents could be ‘coerced’ in booze ballot
Sweeping alcohol bans are set to return to many of the Territory’s Indigenous communities and town camps by the week’s end, following a five-hour explosive debate in NT parliament.
However as details start to emerge, concerns have been raised about how the “urgent” legislation would take place.
During debate on Tuesday night, the CLP repeatedly questioned how a community would collect and prove the 60 per cent majority needed to opt out of the new bans.
Ms Finocchiaro also said she was concerned town camp residents would be coerced into making a decision against their will.
“These concerns were raised when the government first floated the idea, including by Labor MP Marion Scrymgour, but those concerns have not been addressed,” she said.
“This legislation has been scrambled together and misses important details, proving Labor had no intention of making these changes until the Prime Minister flew in and told the Chief Minister how to do her job.”
Alice Springs-based Ms Scrymgour in early February raised fears people who don’t drink, particularly women, could be pressured to vote for the return of alcohol.
“I think it places a lot of the non-drinkers at risk and there needs to be some reassurance that the fear and the intimidation that can come from that, we have seen that, I’ve seen that out in the bush, what can happen and I think that we need to look at this in a sensible way,” she said.
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the NT Electoral Commission could step in to conduct a ballot if necessary.
“The bill does not specify whether the ballot will be conducted by the NT Electoral Commission or a suitable independent body because this allows flexibility for each community,” Ms Fyles said.
“For instance, if it is a small outstation that has 10 to 15 people living on it, we may be able to have consensus and that plan can be agreed to.
“On the other hand, it might be appropriate for the larger community for the Electoral Commission to ensure a safe, fair and secure voting process.”
The “temporary” bans will also repeal in February 2027, with the government expecting community alcohol plans to be in place by that time.
“These restrictions are time limited, providing us the space to invest in new, smarter, long-term reforms required to break the cycle of alcohol, crime and disadvantage,” Ms Fyles said.
A government spokeswoman said a community may also wish to remain dry at the legislation’s end in four years’ time.
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