‘Orwellian’ liquor bill passes Territory parliament

The new legislation establishes a ‘risk-based licensing scheme’ and clarifies the rules for providing complimentary drinks.

Member for Araluen Robyn Lambley plans to test the new Liquor Act for herself.

A NEW liquor bill has passed the NT parliament, establishing a “risk-based licensing scheme” and clarifying the rules for hairdressers providing complimentary drinks.

The legislation, described as a “complete rewrite” of the 40-year-old Liquor Act, was waved through with the support of the Opposition after a lengthy debate on Tuesday night.

Under the new law, a dedicated Director of Liquor Licensing will be appointed to exclusively manage liquor compliance and enforcement.

Attorney-General Natasha Fyles said the new rules would reduce red tape and provide certainty for businesses.

“For too long alcohol-fuelled crime and violence has had a devastating impact on our communities, homes and businesses,” she said.

“We have reduced the supply of alcohol to problem drinkers through measures like the Banned Drinker Register, a new police alcohol unit and 75 new police auxiliary liquor inspectors.

“While these measures are beginning to make a difference, we must continue to invest in programs and people that cut crime now and in the future.”

But support for the changes was not unanimous, with independent member for Araluen, Robyn Lambley, describing the legislation as “Orwellian”.

In a speech to parliament on Tuesday, Ms Lambley said the provision in the bill whereby police would be notified if customers made “suspicious transactions” involving large quantities of alcohol were “very, very concerning”.

Ms Lambley said while she was “certainly not a drunk” she planned to buy up to four cartons of beer a day to test the legislation for herself.

“I intend to make many, many suspicious transactions, I’m going to be buying lots of alcohol for one reason, not necessarily to drink it all at once but to find out what happens when I make a suspicious transaction,” she said.

Ms Lambley said the new act did not define who was a problem drinker and “assumes that we all are”.

“Underlying this bill is the presumption that we can’t make good choices, we’re all drunks, we’re all hideously out of control, we can’t take responsibility for our own behaviour and we need to be told when and how to behave,” she said.