Alcohol Policies and Legislation Review

Consultation on the review of the Northern Territory’s alcohol policies and legislation, including the Liquor Act has now closed.

The independent Expert Advisory Panel, Chaired by Justice Trevor Riley, undertook wide public consultation on all aspects of the current alcohol policies and legislation together with the Liquor Act.

The Northern Territory Government recognises that everyone has the right to enjoy a drink responsibly. However, alcohol abuse is a significant cause of violence, trauma and crime in our community.

The Northern Territory Government is addressing alcohol misuse and its effects on individuals, families and communities, with clear policies such as the reintroduction of the Banned Drinker Register.

A strong whole of government alcohol policy and licensing framework supports responsible alcohol consumption and a safer community.

The review is intended to inform an evidence-based overarching alcohol harm reduction framework.

Since public consultation on the review began on May 29, The Expert Panel have conducted 24 public forums and received 136 submissions. An online survey conducted via this website attracted 85 completed survey responses.

Several major stakeholder organisations made comprehensive submissions to the review, with Submissions received from health agencies and organisations, educational institutes, liquor industry bodies, government agencies, businesses and the public.

What happens next?

All submissions and survey responses will be collated and analysed, resulting in a report to the Northern Territory Government with recommendations on how to reduce the effects of alcohol related harms in the Northern Territory.

The report is due to go to government in the middle of October for their review and to inform the development of a whole of government Alcohol Harm Reduction Framework.