Darwin, Barkly mayors weigh in on grog restrictions

Barkly mayor Jeff McLaughlin has echoed the calls of his Alice Springs’ counterpart, saying if alcohol restrictions in Tennant Creek were a success story they should be Territory-wide.

Territory mayors have weighed in on if grog restrictions should become Territory-wide, after restrictions in Alice Springs were continued without community consultation.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced Alice Springs takeaway alcohol restrictions, which includes a ban on takeaway liquor sales on Monday and Tuesday alongside restricted hours on other days and a limit on purchases, would continue for at least a year.

The restrictions were initially announced as a three-month measure following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to the town in January, but were extended for another quarter in April.

The move was a “shock” for Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson, who said the restrictions were continued without community consultation.

Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson says the 12 month continuation of alcohol restrictions was done without community consultation. Picture: Laura Hooper.

Mr Paterson said while the restrictions earlier in the year had been a “circuit breaker” he would’ve liked to see more policy changes to address the issues at hand.

He said if alcohol restrictions alone were effective at preventing crime they should be rolled out across the Territory.

“If the Northern Territory government are saying that alcohol restrictions work and they’re the golden nugget to fixing crime why wouldn’t Darwin and Palmerston and Katherine want the same restrictions?” he said.

“I don’t think it is alcohol, I think that there’s many other policy changes that need to go with it.”

Barkly mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin said he supported Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson's sentiments. Picture: Barkly Regional Council Facebook.

Barkly mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin, whose council covers the town of Tennant Creek, said he supported Mr Paterson’s sentiments.

He highlighted that Tennant Creek has had restrictions on takeaway alcohol in place since 2018, including limits on purchases and restricted takeaway sale hours from 4pm to 7pm with no takeaways on Saturdays.

Despite the restrictions, Tennant Creek had the most police reports per capita in each crime category with the exception of motor vehicle theft in 2022.

“I believe some of these measures have helped to drop anti-social behaviour and violence in the community, however there are still many issues that are alcohol related,” Mr McLaughlin said.

“If Tennant Creek is a success story, it should apply Territory wide.”

City of Darwin mayor Kon Vatskalis said he was supportive of making takeaway alcohol outlet opening times later in Darwin. Pic: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Darwin mayor Kon Vatskalis, while not supportive of replicating Alice Springs’ measures “in full”, said he would like to see further measures put in place to reduce alcohol harm in Darwin.

“I am supportive of moving take away alcohol outlet opening times on Monday to Friday back to 12pm, and would like to see a strengthening of enforcement under the banned drinker register,” he said.

Palmerston mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell declined to comment.

Katherine mayor Elisabeth Clark has been contacted for comment.