Territorians are drinking more, going out less as new alcohol laws loom

Territorians are spending more on alcohol while going out to pubs and restaurants less than other Australians, new data reveals.

Territorian households spent 10.8 per cent more on alcohol and tobacco in August 2023 compared to the past year, while many other states recorded a decrease. Picture: JPL/Media Mode/news.com.au

Territorians are drinking more but going out to pubs and restaurants less, new data reveals.

It comes as the government considers a string of changes to liquor laws including barring more people from buying takeaway alcohol and cracking down on public drinking.

The latest monthly household spending figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, show Territorians on average are drinking and smoking tobacco 10.8 per cent more compared to last year.

It marks the highest increase across all Australian jurisdictions, many of which recorded a decrease.

The Northern Territory was also the only jurisdiction to spend less at hotels, cafes and restaurants with a 0.6 per cent drop, while other states spent up to 15 per cent more dining out.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, who is also the Alcohol Policy Minister, has already this year reintroduced sweeping alcohol bans across Territory communities and prevented takeaway grog being bought two days per week in Alice Springs.

In the latest parliament sittings she revealed the government would introduce further new laws next month following a review of current liquor laws.

Recommendations made in the report included expanding the list of triggers to put someone on the banned drinkers register.

The report, informed by stakeholder submissions, calls for first-time low-range drink drivers to be put on the BDR whileMs Fyles is considering rolling out the measure across other licenced venues such as pubs and restaurants.

First-time low-range drink drivers could be put on the banned drinkers register, if the government acts on the recommendations made.

It was also suggested a single alcohol-related fine or contravening a domestic violence order while affected by alcohol should be further reasons to put someone on the BDR.

The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction in Australia where a BDR operates across all takeaway alcohol stores.

The Western Australian government is trialling its own BDR in some regions and calls have been made for similar restrictions in Queensland.

In its submission to the review, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) said alcohol continued to cause “significant harm” in the Territory.

“The NT continues to have the highest use of alcohol per capita of all Australian states and territories, at 73 per cent higher than the national average,” it read.

“After initially decreasing for two years following the implementation of the 2017 Riley Review recommendations, per capita use of alcohol in the NT has risen to 12.2 litres per person in 2021.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has promised to introduce new laws in the November sittings, likely to be passed in February. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Fyles said the BDR was an “effective supply and harm reduction tool”, signalling recommended changes are likely to be acted on later this year.

“Alcohol-related harm continues to be one of the greatest social issues facing the Northern Territory today, and no government has done more to stop it,” she said.

“The Territory government recognises the importance of a strong regulatory framework for alcohol in the Northern Territory, to minimise the harm that alcohol causes in our community and to provide certainty for business, the public and industry.”