NT Government extends Banned Drinking Order to 28 days
‘Police have asked for a tougher stance’: A new measure has been added to Lia Finocchiaro’s ‘tough on crime’ campaign , with the Chief Minister claiming the decision was pitched by those in uniform.
The government is quadrupling the length of Banned Drinking Orders, with Lia Finocchiaro saying the move is backed by the police community.
The decision will be formally announced today when the government releases its Banned Drinkers Register Review along with the NT’s latest crime data.
The crime data ranges from January to September this year, and, compared to the same period last year, shows an 8.3 per cent reduction in victims of crime - approximately 1,635 people.
Breakdown by region includes:
- Greater Darwin Region: 457 fewer victims (7 per cent decrease)
- Alice Springs: 951 fewer victims (18 per cent decrease)
- Katherine: 15 fewer victims (1 per cent decrease)
- Tennant Creek: 37 fewer victims (5 per cent decrease)
However, while Ms Finocchiaro is expected to be pleased by the new numbers, the data might not be the biggest talking point this week.
After working in conjunction with Alcohol Policy Minister Steve Edgington, Ms Finocchiaro has now settled on a new measure aimed at targeting problem drinkers.
“Today I can announce we are further increasing public drinking bans, the seven-day Banned Drinker Order will move to 28 days from next month,” she said.
“This gives police an additional tool to combat alcohol fuelled violence and crime in order to further protect our community.”
Ms Finocchiaro said the move was backed by cops.
“The police have asked for a tougher stance on drinking bans, and we have delivered.”
Of note, Katherine was singled-out by the Chief Minister as a success story.
“Earlier this year in Katherine, Police undertook an operation to drive down crime, resulting in a 354 per cent increase in BDOs issued,” she said.
“During that period, the community saw a significant reduction in crime.
“We’re going to back police and give them the tools they need by extending the number of days a person can be banned from purchasing alcohol.”
She also said the extension joined her government’s long list of changes to law and order.
Echoing his boss’ comments, Mr Edgington took specific aim at the opposition.
“The BDR Review, like all other published data, makes clear the greatest alcohol policy failure in a decade occurred when Labor allowed the Stronger Futures legislation to lapse,” he said.
“Labor allowed the rivers of grog to flow, unleashing carnage and violence on communities across the Territory.
He also claimed the decision to quadruple the BDO was police-informed.
“Police have told us the seven-day BDO has proven a valuable tool and that moving to 28 days would enhance its effectiveness as we head into the summer,” he said.
“I will bring to parliament this week changes to the Alcohol Harm Reduction Act 2017 to give effect to this important change.”
Newly-appointed NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole endorsed the extension.
“It was heartening to see solid shifts in the right direction in the Territory’s crime statistics, and these changes to Banned Drinker Orders will further support police,” he said.
“Increasing the number of days from seven to 28 will be an important tool as we head into our summer season which attracts a spike in alcohol related crime.”
He said in one week of November alone, more than 130 BDOs were issued and 900 litres of alcohol emptied.
House meeting dates run from Tuesday to Thursday this week.
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Originally published as NT Government extends Banned Drinking Order to 28 days
