NT government set to bring in new public drinking law allowing police to arrest and issue fines

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Addiction experts in the Northern Territory say a new offence targeting so-called "nuisance public drinking" could exacerbate the problem. The new offence is one of a raft of legislation pitched towards community safety set to pass parliament in its first sitting.

Transcript

00:00Researchers estimate alcohol-related harm costs the territory a billion dollars annually.

00:08Today the government's detailing its latest response.

00:11It's a really important part of stopping crime before it happens.

00:15Drinking in public was previously an offence in the NT,

00:18but that was changed following recommendations

00:21from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody.

00:24Currently police can arrest people if they're being a public nuisance,

00:29but people can't be fined just for drinking in public.

00:32The change means anyone drinking in designated public spaces

00:36could be arrested and fined $925 on the spot,

00:40and they would be added to the banned drinkers register for seven days

00:44with exemptions for popular watering holes.

00:47We know that people like to go to places like East Point, for example,

00:51and grab a pizza and have a quiet beer as they watch the sunset,

00:55and that won't be obstructed by these laws.

00:58The CLP promised the new public drinking laws ahead of the election,

01:02but the peak body for alcohol and addiction services in the NT

01:05says it hasn't been consulted.

01:08It also doesn't address the issue.

01:10Like, the research shows that it's not actually likely to reduce things

01:14like assaults or like property crimes,

01:16the things that Territorians are kind of saying they're worried about.

01:18And they're worried it will disproportionately target

01:21First Nations Territorians and people sleeping rough.

01:24We know from previous research on, say, search and seizure laws,

01:28that it does tend to compound kind of racism and experiences of racism.

01:33There's racial profiling that kind of happens in police's decision-making.

01:37No laws specifically target anyone.

01:39Laws are there for the protection of our entire community

01:42and apply equally.

01:44The opposition would not confirm whether they'll support the measure

01:47when it's debated in the first sittings of parliament next week.

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