Alcohol advocacy group calls for Banned Drinker Register to be expanded to pubs and other venues

THE Banned Drinker Register (BDR) would be extended to pubs and venues to tackle a problem drinking loophole if an alcohol advocacy group has its way

There are calls for the Banned Drinker Register (BDR) to be extended to pubs and other venues to tackle a problem drinking loophole

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THE Banned Drinker Register (BDR) would be extended to pubs and venues to tackle a problem drinking loophole if the People’s Alcohol Action Coalition (PAAC) has its way.

The advocacy group has sent a list of pre-election requests to each political party ahead of the August 22 election and says it has also compiled police and health data to back up alcohol reforms introduced by the current NT Government.

PAAC spokesman John Boffa said, with just over a week until election day, none of the parties had produced clear information on ”his key public health issue”.

“The CLP has said it will dump the minimum unit (floor) price, but its leader Lia Finocchiaro supports the Police Auxiliary Licensing Inspectors (PALIs) at bottle shops,” he said.

PAAC wants to trial the BDR scanners at licensed venues, such as pubs and bars, that unlike bottle shops do not currently vet people on the banned drinker register.

Under the BDR currently, anyone who wants to buy takeaway alcohol in the Territory has to supply a licence or evidence of age card to be scanned before they’re permitted to proceed with their purchase.

The Alice Springs Local Court has heard anecdotal evidence that problem drinkers on the BDR have dodged the ban by getting drunk at bars instead of buying takeaway grog.

Among other demands, PAAC also wants to maintain the liquor commission, adequately fund alcohol and drug rehabilitation, cap grocery stores’ liquor sales and introduce risk-based licensing.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles did not confirm if the government would consider expanding the scope of the BDR but said Labor would keep the BDR and minimum unit floor price in place.

“The issue of alcohol is something that Territorians need to be aware of as they cast their ballot,” Ms Fyles said.

“We have tackled that policy issue that was often put in the too hard basket. And we’re seeing that in our emergency department presentations, with alcohol-related assaults decreasing in the Territory.”

CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro said on Wednesday that the Banned Drinker Register could be having a negative impact on corner stores.

“On the BDR, we have been very clear that we will review it to see if it is operating as intended and having any impact on reducing alcohol-related harm,” she said.

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“We will review the BDR and strengthen it so that it’s driving outcomes.”

Dr Boffa said the NT had come far with alcohol reforms and he did not want to see alcohol policy go backwards.

“We can’t afford the social or financial costs of increased rates of injury, preventable deaths and criminal offending,” he said.