Should remote Indigenous communities have unrestricted access to alcohol?

A 15-year-old booze ban has been lifted for Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory, sparking a fiery debate amongst leaders.

A 15-year-old booze ban has been lifted for Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory, sparking a fiery debate amongst leaders.

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After nearly 15 years of a strict alcohol ban, Indigenous people from communities in the Northern Territory are free to buy unlimited grog again. 

The ban was first imposed by John Howard's government in 2007, after he deemed alcohol abuse in the Top End a "national emergency." 

At the time, a report found that "rivers of grog" were leading to rampant child abuse, domestic violence and the destruction of property. 

The prohibition was later enshrined in legislation by Labor in 2012, but the laws expired on July 17 this year. 

The NT government replaced them with opt-in laws, allowing Indigenous communities to decide for themselves whether they wanted to ban alcohol or not. The changes affected about 7000 people in 400, mainly smaller communities.

Lifting the ban has caused intense debate amongst our leaders.

NT Chief Minister and her Indigenous Attorney-General Chansey Paech think Indigenous people should be allowed the right to determine how much alcohol they drink.

But her opposition, Lia Finocchiaro, thinks more consultation should have been done before reversing the ban.

Peter Burnheim, the Executive Officer of the Association of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies told The Oz the ban removal would see more alcohol in remote communities, would could have detrimental effects on Indigenous people. 

Alice Spring Police recorded 54 domestic-violence incidents in the 48 hours after the grog-ban was lifted. 

Academic Marcia Langton thinks women and children will be the ones who suffer if unlimited alcohol is permitted amongst Aboriginal people in the NT.