NT Government needs to give Dan Murphy’s a fair go

DAN Murphy’s has been a carrot dangled in front of Territorians for far too long — and even now, so close to the finish line, Territorians and the company itself are none the wiser as to what is actually happening

Dan Murphy's needs a fair go in the NT

DAN Murphy’s has been a carrot dangled in front of Territorians for far too long — and even now, so close to the finish line, Territorians and the company itself are none the wiser as to what is actually happening.

It is a business that wants to open up in the Territory and will have a significant economic impact. While there has been debate over the impact of alcohol and the impact the merchants could have on Darwin and the NT, Dan Murphy’s is a company with a proven track record and plans to cover all bases — they are veterans of the industry and have done this sort of thing plenty of times before.

Similarly it is a business Territorians will embrace — the variety of drinks is something Territorians will enjoy. Whenever we head interstate Dan’s is often one of the first places we’ll head to. We are notorious for our drinking culture and sitting back and sharing a drink with each other.

But now they are being held up by bureaucracy and red tape. Dan Murphy’s isn’t a small company with time to burn and their set-up won’t be as simple as stocking shelves — the construction and development of the store will take time. They will need significant time to set up their business to make sure it follows the countless rules and regulations set up for them by the Territory Government.

As Shane Tremble said, it’s hard to stay excited about something that has been coming for so long, and Territorians have been waiting, watching and longing for Dan Murphy’s to make its Territory debut. It’s time for the liquor commission to stop teasing us — and the economy — and get the show on the road.