Longer grog bans in Alice Springs ‘won’t stop youth crime’, says Alice mayor Matt Paterson

Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson says the town is still bracing for a surge of youth crime, despite the NT government’s decision to extend liquor restrictions by at least another 12 months.

Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson says the 12-month continuation of alcohol restrictions was done without community consultation. Picture: Laura Hooper

Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson says the town is still bracing for a surge of youth crime at the end of the year, despite the Northern Territory government’s decision to extend liquor restrictions by at least another 12 months.

And he said raising the age of criminal responsibility in the NT from 10 to 12 years old in the second half of this year was a “recipe for disaster after the summer we’ve had”.

The announcement that alcohol restrictions would be extended, first reported in The Australian on Thursday, came after a dramatic downturn in crime and domestic violence incidents in Alice Springs following reinstatement of grog bans in January.

The restrictions introduced takeaway alcohol bans on Mondays and Tuesdays and limited the purchase of alcohol during the rest of the week, while town camps reverted to being complete dry zones.

Mr Paterson said while the extension of the restrictions would allow for a “like to like” comparison of crime and hospital statistics over the summer period – when there was an influx of people into town and crime was typically higher – the move had come as “a shock” given no consultation had taken place.

He said the extension would have an impact on tourism and hospitality sectors. “We want people from all around the world coming to Alice Springs to celebrate what is magical about the place. This (announcement says) ‘you can come here, but if you want a beer, don’t come here Monday or Tuesday’,” he said.

“We want people to come to Alice Springs, and we want to sell Alice Springs, but these policy changes make it difficult.”

Mr Paterson called the extension of the restrictions “a reactive decision to the dumb decision” of allowing alcohol restrictions under the federal laws known as Stronger Futures to lapse in July last year.

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she met with Mr Paterson “regularly” and kept him across issues and the government’s solutions.

“I also listen to his opinion,” she said.

“Governments make decisions that value the community. What is bad for tourism is visitors not feeling safe, and having alcohol-fuelled crime at their doorstep.

“Under the restrictions, alcohol can still be consumed in hospitality venues.”

The NT government said it had analysed data that showed ­alcohol-related emergency department presentations at Alice Springs Hospital had reduced by a third, and domestic violence had halved since the restrictions were introduced.

Despite calling alcohol restrictions an “ineffective race-based policy” earlier this year, Ms Fyles said it was clear the measures were working to bring down crime and domestic violence.

“Our police officers, our hospital staff and our social sector, who work in Alice have been loud and clear – they are all telling us that these restrictions need to stay in place. We are listening to them,” she said.

“I know that some retailers may not like this approach. It’s a difficult decision, but it’s the right decision. It has to be done. And I thank retailers and other businesses for continuing to work with us.”

Acting NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said his agency supported the move because it “gives us room to breathe”.