Barkly publicans question proposed liquor laws that would target only three venues

LICENSEES who could be required to check a person’s ID every time they buy a drink at the bar have questioned why other venues in the same region haven’t been included in the Liquor Commission’s proposal.

• Barkly pubs could be required to scan your ID for a beer under new Liquor Commission proposal
• Alcohol restrictions in Barkly region to be reviewed

LICENSEES who could be required to check a person’s ID every time they buy a drink at the bar have questioned why other venues in the Barkly region haven't been included in the Liquor Commission’s proposal.

Under the proposed rules, the Tennant Creek Hotel, Goldfields Hotel and the Elliott Hotel will have to use the Banned Drinker Register at the bar each time someone buys a drink.

The move has been labelled “bordering on racist” by affected publicans.

“It’s bordering on racism they’ve picked the three hotels for the BDR system in the bars when they’ve got the whole of the Barkly region,” Goldfields Hotel owner Jason Groves said.

The Tennant Creek Hotel on the main street will be targeted by the new grog laws. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

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“The two clubs which are majority white people don’t have to do the same thing we have to.”

Mr Groves and Tennant Creek Hotel owner Jon Jenkins both backed the comments made by the Barkly Regional Council and Hospitality NT.

“It just means we are going to have to employ more people to stand around and do the government’s job for them,” Mr Jenkins said.

“We get police walking through every day and they know who is on the BDR and if they see them they take them out.”

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Both men said the changes already brought in over the years had affected business negatively.

“It’s put another nail in the coffin of Tennant Creek, that’s what they’re doing,” Mr Jenkins said.

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