NT government offers buyback of liquor licences

Grocery store licensees are eligible for the scheme – set to last for the next four weeks – which is aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm.

Young Indigenous Australians on the street in Alice Springs in January. Picture: Liam Mendes

The NT government has announced the voluntary buyback of independent grocery store liquor licences, in a bid to reduce alcohol sales across the Northern Territory.

The buy back scheme, which will be in place for the next four weeks, will allow grocery store licensees to express their interest for the government to buy back their licence.

NT chief minister Natasha Fyles said the buy back scheme would “likely” see a decrease in alcohol sales.

“This is an opportunity to reduce the number of licenses in our community,” Ms Fyles said on Thursday morning.

“The Northern Territory government is determined to tackle the alcohol related harm we see in the Territory.

Ms Fyles said any financial compensation, which would be “a reasonable amount”, would be commercial in confidence. She said there were “around 50” licences currently active.

“I’ve had licensees say to me that they would consider handing back their license if there was monetary compensation, so we’re putting out a four week expression of interest to see if people do hand back their licenses.

“We know that less liquor licences means less alcohol, and less alcohol related harm in our community,” Ms Fyles said.

NT chief minister Natasha Fyles announces voluntary buyback of grocery store liquor licences. Picture: Liam Mendes

It comes as the NT parliament passed new legislation on Wednesday introducing a presumption against bail for violent offences involving a weapon, as pressure grows on the Northern Territory government to kerb spiralling violence.

There will also be a presumption against bail for co-offenders who participate in violent offences involving a weapon, even if they do not possess the weapon themselves.

The swift introduction of the legislation comes after Darwin Local Court heard last week that teenager Keith Kerinauia, who has been charged with the murder of 20-year-old bottle shop worker Declan Laverty, had been released on bail for alleged aggravated robbery and aggravated assault with a “bladed weapon” in 2022.

The government has been under increasing pressure over the past few months as the Territory grapples with alcohol and non-alcohol fuelled crime from Darwin down to Alice Springs.