Licensees’ new policy means Alice Springs now has the toughest booze laws in the nation, says Hospitality NT chief

FROM next month, Alice Springs bottle shops will record and pass on customers’ details to NT Police for potential followup when certain purchases are made, under a new condition agreed to by licensees.

HAVING the toughest liquor laws in the nation has so far failed to fix the anti-social issues plaguing Alice Springs, the peak body representing the NT’s liquor industry says.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce acknowledged the proactive stance by Alice Springs Licensees, who have agreed to an additional ‘Reportable Transaction’ condition to be added to their licence.

However, he questioned whether this extra imposition on licensees was a fix that was needed.

From November 3, Licensing NT signs will be up in all Alice Springs bottle shops letting customers know that when a Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspector is not present, if they buy more than three cartons of full strength beer, a dozen bottles of wine, four bottles of spirits or two cartons of ready to drink mixes, their details will be recorded and passed on to NT Police for potential follow up.

A NT Police point of sale intervention officer outside an Alice Springs bottle shop.

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Other triggers include three or more sales to the same person on the same day or any other liquor sale arousing suspicion that the customer intends to commit an offence relating to possession, consumption or supply.

“Licensees have again agreed to increase the red tape burden in their venues following requests from authorities,” Mr Bruce said.

“Central Australia has the toughest liquor laws in the nation, with full coverage of Police Auxiliaries on every Alice bottle shop. All of these measures have not stopped the ram raids and breaks in around town. They haven’t fixed the underlying anti-social issues that unfortunately are all too common in Alice Springs.

“The current troubles with youth crime has very little to do with the alcohol and further one eyed focus on supply restrictions will not improve the situation.

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“Before someone comes up with yet another restriction thought bubble it is time to look at all the demand reduction and harm minimisation measures, and all the money going to agencies in the town funded to curb bad behaviour and demand better results.”