Central access point for alcohol-related harm data is missing key points
The NT government’s latest initiative to thwart alcohol-related harm has sparked concerns Territorians are only getting ‘half the story’. Find out what the database is missing.
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The Northern Territory Government has launched an alcohol policy website as part of its efforts to minimise alcohol-related harm.
The website provides a central point for Territorians to review data and trends, information about alcohol policy, and data monitoring work.
Hospitality NT CEO Alex Bruce congratulated the government for pulling the website together but said it told only “half the story”.
“Where is the analysis of all the programs and billions that have been spent on trying to tackle the underlying issues leading to people’s purchasing behaviour?” he said.
“Data on sly grog and enforcement actions should also be included as we know this is a significant contributor to the harm faced by the broader community.”
In 2020, Territorians consumed 11.7 litres of alcohol per person, compared to 9.5 litres Australia-wide.
There were 9.2 alcohol-induced deaths per 100,000 people in the NT alone in 2021, compared to 5.4 across the country.
Alcohol Policy and Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said alcohol-related harm was one of the government’s biggest challenges.
“From the Banned Drinkers Register, minimum floor price, to Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors, and record funding for alcohol treatment services and domestic, family and sexual violence, we continue to invest heavily in this space,” she said.
“This is just one of many steps we are taking as part of our comprehensive response to alcohol-related harm, which remains one of the greatest social issues facing the Northern Territory.”
The NT Government is also working to develop an integrated alcohol data dashboard to provide up-to-date data from a range of areas including health, education, housing, policing and families.
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