Community based organisations, individuals and licensees have until Friday this week to make submissions into the NT Liquor Commission’s inquiry into controls on the sale of takeaway alcohol in the Alice Springs region.

Chairperson of the NT Liquor Commission, Richard Coates, says they have no preconceived views as to what, if any changes should be made to current license conditions in Alice Springs.

‘What we do know is that the people of Central Australia want something done about alcohol fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour and we would welcome their input into our decision making process’.

‘Collectively, members of the Commission have a significant store of knowledge in relation to the tragic consequences of alcohol abuse in Central Australia and the circumstances surrounding its consumption in and near dry communities’.

‘Many of the members have worked and lived in remote communities in central Australia including Commissioner Blair McFarland who was a parole officer stationed at Papunya in the 1980s and has worked extensively on substance abuse issues in indigenous communities for the past 20 years and Kenton Winsley who is an aboriginal health practitioner’. 

‘Historically the majority of alcohol that has blighted bush communities in the centre has been sourced from Alice Springs take away outlets. The Commission would be keen to receive evidence if that is no longer the case’, Richard Coates says.

Individuals and community based organisations are encouraged to share their views and experiences with the Liquor Commission by sending a submission via email to liquor.commission@nt.gov.au or via post to GPO Box 1154, Darwin, NT, 0801, no later than 4:00 pm on 28 September 2018. 

Unless submissions are marked “Confidential”, the Commission reserves the right to post them on its website so that all interested parties can read them at https://justice.nt.gov.au/regulatory-services/licensing-boards,-committees-and-advisory-councils/liquor-commission

Media contact for interviews:

Email: liquor.commission@nt.gov.au

Phone: 08 8999 1307