Opposition MLA claims govt is using Tennant Creek as a ‘guinea pig’ with proposed grog restrictions
A HIGH profile CLP MLA says Tennant Creek is being used as a ‘guinea pig’ to test wider changes to the BDR
Alice Springs
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BARKLY MLA and Shadow Attorney-General Steve Edgington says a proposed change to the Banned Drinker Register (BDR) for Tennant Creek is a case of the government “using the Barkly as a guinea pig”.
“I didn’t get a sense that there was anyone in the room supporting this change,” Mr Edgington said.
This week, the Northern Territory Liquor Commission held a two-day hearing in Tennant Creek to review submissions regarding both existing and proposed restrictions to the liquor licensing conditions throughout the Barkly region.
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One of the proposed restrictions would see the BDR introduced to three pubs in Tennant Creek — the Tennant Creek Hotel, Goldfields Hotel and the Elliott Hotel.
“One big issue that was discussed was, why is this change only going to be applied to three licensees across the whole of the Barkly?
“In my opinion, there is no evidence in the report by the Liquor Commission to show any justification for introducing that whatsoever, other than that the Liquor Commission or the government wants to use the Barkly as a guinea pig in a trial program.”
Mr Edgington claims the alcohol-related problems currently affecting Tennant Creek, especially those related to secondary supply, have been exacerbated by the Gunner government.
“We’re experiencing high crime rates, and my view is that the Liquor Commission has been put in a position to increase restrictions to plug the gaps left behind by the broken promises of this government,” he said.
Mr Edgington said broken promises included a commitment to resource 12 Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors (PALIs) for Tennant Creek, though currently only six positions are filled.
Other changes under consideration by the Liquor Commission include a requirement for all licensees in the region to include CCTV surveillance of their point of sale, and a requirement that customers not be served until PALIs have completed their checks.
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The commission has extended by 21 days its deadline for written submissions regarding its review of licensing conditions in the Barkly region.
“The extension was given by the Commission at the request of various stakeholders including some of the affected licensees, and in the absence of any objection,” a spokeswoman for the commission said.
Alcohol Policy Minister Natasha Fyles was contacted for comment .
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