Fears proposed booze ban could ruin Darwin night-life

A PLAN to cut off drinkers from everything stronger than a standard beer after 11pm could destroy Darwin’s night-life and music scene

Trader Bars Niccolo Sammarco believes this potential ban on alcohol over 5 per cent in Darwin's CBD will have a big impact for local venues. Picture: JUSTIN KENNEDY

A PLAN to cut off drinkers from everything stronger than a standard beer after 11pm could destroy Darwin’s night-life and music scene.

The booze review suggests prohibiting the sale of beverages with an alcohol content greater than 5 per cent after 11pm Monday to Saturday and 10pm on Sunday.

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That means while drinkers would be free to throw back a late night VB or XXXX Gold, a Little Creatures Pale Ale would be off the menu, as would wine, shots or cocktails.

An expert panel headed by former NT chief justice Trevor Riley last week handed the Government 220 recommendations to overhaul the Territory’s alcohol regulations. So far, only one – a suggestion to put in place a blanket Sunday ban on takeaway alcohol sales – has been rejected.

If the proposal to take high alcohol content drinks off the menu is implemented – and the Labor Government has said it has its “in-principle support to consider” – it will give the Territory the most restrictive late night trade laws in the country.

While pockets of some cities interstate have put in place bans on shots late at night, no other jurisdiction has such broad restrictions. In most jurisdictions with such laws, the cut-off is midnight.

Queensland’s ban on late-night “rapid intoxication drinks” has an exemption for cocktails which aren’t designed to be consumed quickly, and for high-end spirits served neat. No such exemptions were flagged in the NT’s alcohol review.

Trader Bar co-owner Andrew Giles said cutting drinkers off would lead to fewer people heading out and could mean some venues could shut.

“It would be a step backwards for the city; Darwin’s bar scene has only developed the last couple of years, with us, Stonehouse, Six Tanks,” he said.

Mr Giles argued problems weren’t caused by those at bars, but by “aggressive” drinking outside licensed premises.

He said venue owners should be trusted to comply with responsible service of alcohol requirements.

But those who didn’t should receive harsher penalties, he said. Punishing irresponsible venues would be a more effective method of reducing alcohol-fuelled offences, rather than enacting heavy-handed blanket legislation, he said.

Darwin businessman Jason Hanna, whose roster of eateries includes restaurant and cocktail bar Nirvana, said the proposal, which would preclude even a glass of wine after 11pm, was laughable. However he said he had “full faith” that the Government would take a commonsense approach.

A Government spokesman said the proposal was under consideration.