Liquor Commission should approve Dan Murphy’s for Darwin now company has chosen new location

IT’S time for the Dan Murphy’s saga to end. The debate and innuendo has dragged on for far too long and now the company has chosen a new location like the Liquor Commission asked for, their application should be approved.

The Dan Murphy’s saga has been going on in Darwin for five years

IT’S time for the Dan Murphy’s saga to end.

The debate and innuendo has dragged on for far too long and now the company has chosen a new location like the Liquor Commission asked for, their application should be approved.

Under proposed urgent new legislation, the government would give the Commission 30 days to make a decision.

Whichever way the Commission chooses to go, there’s no doubt this whole saga has bordered on a national embarrassment for the Territory.

The concerns of Indigenous organisations certainly have to be taken into account but where do you draw the line when Darwin is already littered with booze retailers?

If it’s good enough for BWS, Thirsty Camel, Liquorland and others, why shouldn’t the playing field be fair to allow for a Dan Murphy’s?

Also, if the location of a booze venue was such an important factor in the Commission’s previous ruling, why are there so many liquor venues in Darwin’s busiest pedestrian night strip — Mitchell Street?

The arguments for a Dan Murphy’s clearly outweigh the arguments against it.

A poll of nearly 4000 voters on ntnews.com.au show 85 per cent want a Dan Murphy’s. Only 11 per cent are against it and 4 per cent are undecided.

The government already has tough booze laws in place, including the Banned Drinker Register and a minimum floor price, to help manage alcohol-related problems.

Not allowing a Dan Murphy’s in Darwin — a capital city of Australia — would be punishing the wishes of the overwhelming majority of people who want one built.

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Richard Coates is the chairperson of the Liquor Commission.

WHO’S ON THE LIQUOR COMMISSION THAT WILL MAKE THE CALL ON WHETHER OR NOT DARWIN GETS A DAN MURPHY’S?

Chairperson

Richard Coates: With over 40 years’ experience as a lawyer, Richard was previously the Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Justice, Director of the NT Legal Aid Commission, NT Magistrate and Principal Lawyer at Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (CAALAS) in Alice Springs.

Deputy Chairperson

Jodi Truman: Jodi is a local long-term barrister who has undertaken litigation practice with specialisation in criminal and family law. Currently, Jodi is a legal member for the Mental Health Review Tribunal and a qualified Family Dispute Resolution practitioner, as well as a qualified Arbitrator under the Family Law Act 1975.

Jodi Truman

Other Members

Russell Goldflam: Russell is the Principal Legal Officer at NT Legal Aid Commission in Alice Springs.

Dr Rob Parker: Dr Parker is the President of Australian Medical Association NT and works at Northern Territory Government’s Department of Health. Dr Parker has extensive experience in the NT health sector, particularly with regards to the effects of alcohol on Aboriginal people.

Dr Charles Douglas: As a qualified doctor currently working in the Centre for Disease Control in Darwin, Dr Douglas has extensive experience in rehabilitation for people with alcohol problems. He has worked in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Somalia, Ethiopia and Vanuatu.

Kenton Winsley: Kenton is a long-term NT resident. He has been registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency as an Aboriginal Health Practitioner for over 10 years. He has been a qualified paramedic for 13 years and has held senior roles within the public sector, including Director, Aboriginal Health Practitioner and Area Services Manager (Prison Health).

Lindsay Carmichael: Lindsay is a long-term NT resident, with a history of hospitality industry experience. Lindsay owned and operated the Daly Waters Pub from 1999 to 2017.

Pauline Reynolds: As the current Chief Executive Officer of Barkly Region Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Group, Pauline is a registered nurse with post graduate qualifications in health, alcohol studies, and addiction. Pauline is highly experienced in drug and alcohol treatment in the NT.

Sandra Cannon: Sandra has significant senior level experience within local councils in four different states. She has spent many years living in remote communities across the NT.

Amy Corcoran: Amy worked as a commercial lawyer for six years, and then for eight years as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Hotels Association NT. She has a good understanding of the hospitality industry from both a regulatory and operational perspective.

Blair McFarland: Blair is the Co-Manager of Central Australian Youth Link Up Service with 30 years’ experience in addressing substance abuse as well as experience with the correctional services.

Christine Hart: Christine is a long-term Pine Creek resident with with 47 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service and Northern Territory Public Service.

On 31 October 2018, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice appointed Dr Phillip Carson as a health member.

Dr Phillip Carson: Dr Carson is a longstanding member of the medical profession in the Northern Territory. He practices as a specialist general surgeon in Darwin and is an Associate Professor of Surgery with the Flinders NT Medical Program.

Elizabeth Stephenson: On 5 June 2019 the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice appointed Elizabeth Stephenson as a health member. Elizabeth has been employed in Darwin, Nhulunbuy and Maningrida in the conduct of clinical duties since 1995 including clients with tuberculosis and leprosy.

Bernard Dwyer: Bernard has worked in the field of alcohol and other drugs and mental health service provision for over 40 years, with more than 30 years’ service in the Northern Territory. On 6 November 2019, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice appointed Bernard John Dwyer as a health member.