A solid schedule of legislation is set to be debated inParliament over the next two weeks, including the Liquor Bill 2019.
The Bill is a complete rewrite of the Liquor Act 1978, andachieves 70 recommendations from the Riley Review.
The TerritoryGovernments alcohol reforms are having an impact on cutting violent crime inthe NT through a reduction in the supply of alcohol through the Banned DrinkerRegister, a new Police alcohol unit and 75 new Police Auxiliary LiquorInspectors.
Themost recent crime statistics show that assaults involving alcohol are at theirlowest rates in 10 years – down 37% in Alice Springs, while domestic violenceassaults are down 25%.
Additionally alcohol-relatedhospital presentations have also had significant drops – down 28.9% in thelatest quarter.
The Liquor Billhas undergone extensive consultation through an exposure draft and the scrutinycommittee process.
Additional legislation in the August sittings will alsoinclude the:
- Care and Protection of Children Amendment Bill 2019
- Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Legislation Amendment Bill2019
- Hemp Industry Bill 2019
- Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment Bill
- Water Miscellaneous Amendments Bill 2019
Parliament willdebate the Hemp Industry Bill 2019. Which puts in place a regulatory frameworkthat allows for the development and operation of an industrial hemp industry inthe Northern Territory supporting local jobs and backing local businesses.
Quote fromLeader of Government Business, Natasha Fyles:
For decades alcohol-fuelledcrime and violence has had a devastating impact on our communities, homes andbusinesses.
TheTerritory Labor Governments alcohol reforms are working with violent offendingcut across the NT.
This has been done byreducing the supply of alcohol to problem drinkers through measures like theBanned Drinkers Register, a new Police Alcohol Unit and 75 new Police AuxiliaryLiquorInspectors.
These measures arebeginning to make a difference, but we know we need to continue to invest inprograms and people that cut crime now and in the future.
