Question of ‘honesty’ as Fyles letter to hospitality industry emerges

The chief minister has admitted she failed to properly consult with industry before announcing significant changes on Monday. Read what she said.

The Territory’s hospitality industry claimed the chief minister broke a promise made in writing last year to not change business operating environments before the next term of government.

And in a late development on Tuesday, Chief Minister Natasha Fyles admitted she got it wrong.

Late on Monday the government released plans to reform grog regulations to allow private security guards to carry capsicum spray at licensed premises among a suite of measures to curb crime and anti-social behaviour.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce with Natasha Fyles. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Included in the new announcements was a plan to push back bottleshop operating hours in the Top End from 10am to midday, in line with other NT towns.

But the move angered the hospitality industry which said it would cost jobs.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said the chief minister reneged on a commitment she made in December in a letter thanking the organisation for its contribution to the Northern Territory in 2022.

The letter included a commitment not to change business environments during the current term of government, which ends next August.

“I would like to reassure you that government has no intentions on altering your current business operating environments during this term of government,” she wrote.

Mr Bruce said the chief minister doubled-down on the commitment at an industry briefing she presented last week when she told hospitality business operators no changes would be made without first consulting industry.

Alex Bruce letter

Mr Bruce said Monday’s changes had shown the government was not prepared to act in good faith with industry.

“How is it the chief minister can say one thing in writing and then the actual delivery is completely at odds with what she said,” Mr Bruce said.

“There wasn’t a consultation process with our industry, in contrast to what the chief minister promised last week and last year.

“The chief minister promises no surprises and then keeps bowling them out. What trust can industry or the community have in her words moving forward.”

Mr Bruce said while the government had attempted to play down the bottleshop hours changes, it would impact business’ capacity to recruit staff.

“This represents reduced hours to workers who will look to find another job, outside of the industry,” he said.

“The bottleshop announcement makes a mockery of that and the issue is becoming one of honesty and integrity.”

In a statement to the NT News, Ms Fyles acknowledged the work done by liquor retailers supporting the government in curbing alcohol related harm.

“I agree we could’ve been better with our communication with Hospitality NT,” she said. “The Police Commissioner approached us and said he needed this trial to keep Territorians safe.”