Today the Alcohol Harm Reduction Amendment Bill 2023, Police Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 and the Firearms and Weapons Control Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 have passed Parliament.
These passed bills will create a safer Territory for all Territorians.
Changes implemented through the Alcohol Harm Reduction Amendment Bill 2023 means, our hardworking Police have more powers to place people on the Banned Drinker Register (BDR), by providing them with a Banned Drinker Order (BDO) through enhanced pathways.
The passed amendments introduce a new seven day ban for a Police BDO as an immediate consequence for antisocial behaviour.
The passed amendments introduce a new seven day ban as an immediate consequence for antisocial behaviour.
The seven day police Banned Drinker Order (BDO) will be issued:
For people issued a banning notice under section 212 of the Liquor Act for alcohol related antisocial behaviour in a high risk area;If someone is consuming alcohol in a prohibited public place in contravention of s171(1) of the Liquor Act, including within 2km of a licensed venue;When someone is issued an alcohol-related infringement notice; andFor people taken into alcohol-related protective custody.
Other amendments passed today include:
After 2 occasions of a 7 day ban, the next occurrence of a trigger will result in the standard 3 month BDO.Police will now also have the power to request the ID of any public drinkers. This strengthens the police pathway for the implementation of the BDOs, during which treatment options will be made available; andIncreasing maximum penalty of secondary supply from 20 to 100 penalty units.
The Firearms and Weapons Control Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 also passed Parliament today, which will allow security guards working at take away liquor outlets to be equipped with OC spray.
Under the changes to the legislation, private security companies will need to go through a rigorous application process to be approved to use OC spray.
All security guards will need to undertake training which includes providing aftercare to the person who has being subjected to the OC spray, environmental factors, self exposure and third party exposure, before being issued a with a licence to use OC spray.
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:
“Today we have passed another tranche of alcohol reform which will assist in curbing alcohol related harm. We have also passed legislation which will keep our bottle shop workers safer.
“People have the right to have a drink in safe and legal ways, but they don’t have the right to cause problems for other Territorians because of their problem drinking.
“By strengthening police powers we will be to help problem drinkers break the cycle, crime and disadvantage, and provides better protection for domestic and family violence victims, particularly women and children.”
Quotes attributed to the Minister for Police, Brent Potter:
“Police told us they needed these changes and we have listened.
“Legislation passed today means Police will provide a Banned Drinker Order to those that are not following the rules. You will now have to show your ID to Police, so we can identify who has the potential of being violent and causing harm.
“It will allow Police to identify a person that is drinking alcohol in public, because identifying a person will empower Police to cross check their details against parole orders, courts orders, domestic violence orders and warrants.
“This is important because in many instances these orders have a no alcohol provision, and when people are placed on an order they must comply with that order. Breaching these orders is an offence and compliance must be enforced.
“We have also listened to and worked with the hospitality sector to debate legislation with the right protections in place and delivered on our promise. These changes will make it safer for hospitality staff and customers.”
Northern Territory Government
