CLP push to reinstate 2km grog rule

There’s a new push to give police more power to tackle anti-social behaviour. Do you agree?

THE Opposition will push to reinstate a former grog law making it illegal to drink within 2km of a licensed premises.

Opposition Alocohol Policy spokesman Gerard Maley said the law aimed to give police more power to help curb the increase of anti-social behaviour.

The law was last active in 2019 but scrapped by the Labor government. If reinstated, it would include a fine for consuming liquor in public within 2km of a licensed premises or other designated area.

“The removal of the 2km Rule meant that police were provided with fewer options when dealing with anti-social behaviour.

“Reinstatement of the 2km Rule will provide police with the ability to curb anti-social behaviour and arrest people that are drinking in public, which serves as a greater deterrent than simply tipping out liquor.

“Concerns over the removal have been voiced by Police officers, the Northern Territory Police Association, councils, licenced premises owners and community members — all of whom had felt the effects of the removal of this legislation and how it has made it more difficult for police to effectively address anti-social behaviour.

“While a problem across the Territory, we know the removal of the 2km Rule has particularly exacerbated problems in Alice Springs, our towns and other regional communities.

Plan to tackle DV scourge

THE Territory Opposition will unveil its domestic violence to tackle the scourge, following heated discussions on the issue.

Parliament on Tuesday was consumed by debate over domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) in the Territory following the following the deaths of a woman and baby in Alice Springs on July 17, and a woman in Katherine on July 19.

Opposition Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Prevention spokesman Steve Edgington said in 2021 there were a shocking 5539 domestic violence assaults recorded and said the policies would aid in tackling the issue.

“The catastrophic increase in domestic violence across the Territory under Labor’s watch has got to stop.

Policies include: changing the law to ensure an offender either attended a behaviour change program while serving a prison sentence or was bailed to a program with 24/7 supervision; introducing laws for extended electronic monitoring of offenders and releasing additional technology to provide victims with real-time notifications of the whereabouts of offenders.

Mr Edgington said the policies also included reviewing all DV strategies, removing any programs that have the potential to further endangered victims, continue funding for shelters and crisis services and implementing strategies to ensure targets are met.

The policies will be further discussed this week.

Govt accused of downplaying role of alcohol in DV cases

THE NT government is being accused of ignoring the “brutality” and “danger” of alcoholism in a fiery exchange over domestic, sexual and family violence (DSFV).

In NT parliament sittings on Tuesday, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Prevention Minister Kate Worden presented a report on priorities in the portfolio, focusing on a change in funding from the federal government.

The discussion was prompted following the deaths of a woman and baby in Alice Springs on July 17, and a woman in Katherine on July 19 – all related to DSFV.

Ms Worden highlighted a need for federal funding to be shifted to a needs-based model, not one allotted from population.

“$150m is invested by the federal government. We get 1 per cent, that’s $1.5m a year. It’s not even a single drop in a bucket,” she said.

“We also get a $400,000 loading for remoteness. Anybody in this chamber that understands the cost of delivering services to remoteness has to understand that is just not enough.”

Kate Worden said the federal funding model needed to be shifted to needs-based. Picture: Amanda Parkinson

Ms Worden said the focus needed to be on young people and on bringing cultural, institutional and individual attitudinal change, saying “attacking the issues of alcohol misuse” would not bring about meaningful change.

In response, Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley took aim at Ms Worden’s comments around alcohol.

“We talk about domestic and family violence in the Northern Territory, it goes hand-in-hand with alcohol,” she said.

“Grog is at the centre of all these problems throughout the Northern Territory … Minister Worden make no mistake

“Rolling back the alcohol bans and restrictions across more than 400 Aboriginal living communities, town camps and outstations across the Northern Territory as of the 16th of July 2022 is the most outrageous, irresponsible act I have ever witnessed.

Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley defended alcohol as a significant issue in domestic violence. Picture: Floss Adams.

“You are allowing countless thousands of women and children and elderly people to be subjected to alcohol because of your ignorance and lack of understanding of where we live in the Northern Territory.”

“I feel totally and utterly weak listening to the nonsense perpetuated … (from) the government of Northern Territory who failed to recognise the brutality, the danger of alcohol.”

Ms Lambley agreed federal funding needed to be shifted to a needs-based model, with emphasis on Central Australia.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles defended the government’s alcohol policies, saying the legislation passed earlier this year empowered communities to make informed decisions around alcohol.