A report commissioned by the Northern Territory and Federal Governments has recommended the Territory urgently legislate further alcohol restrictions in Central Australia.
Key points:
- The report was to advise the NT and federal governments on whether blanket alcohol restrictions should be reinstated in Central Australia
- It comes after Anthony Albanese flew into Alice Springs last week amid growing calls for action on high rates of crime
- The NT chief minister and attorney-general are due to meet with Mr Albanese this morning
Long-time bureaucrat Dorelle Anderson was tasked with advising whether Intervention-era alcohol bans should be temporarily reinstated in the face of a spike in crime and alcohol-fuelled violence in the town.
Part of the report, seen by RN Breakfast, recommends changes that go beyond the emergency restrictions announced during the prime minister’s trip to the town last week.
Under the recommendations, restrictions would stay in place until alcohol management plans were developed by communities that would allow them to opt out.
NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are meeting to discuss the report later today.
The measures currently in place are operating for three months, and include takeaway alcohol-free days on Mondays and Tuesdays, while bottle shop opening hours are restricted from 3pm-7pm on other days.
The Chief Minister refused to comment on the leaked report in an interview with ABC Alice Springs.
The NT government has been criticised for allowing the bans to lapse last year without transition plans recommended by Aboriginal health organisations.