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.
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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.