The Northern Territory government has extended alcohol restrictions in the central town of Alice Springs due to positive results so far, but challenges remain ahead.
According to the government, evidence from the Emergency Department of the Alice Springs Hospital showed alcohol-related emergency presentations had been reduced by a third, while alcohol-related harm and assaults have also been reduced.
The NT government has also tried other ways to cut the drinking problem and other alcohol-related harms including checking licences and introducing police liquor inspectors.
“From risk-based licensing to the Banned Drinkers Register, from the minimum floor price to our Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors, and with record funding for alcohol treatment services and domestic, family, and sexual violence, we continue to do more than any previous government to tackle this problem,” said Ms. Fyles.
Local police, social workers, and hospital staff have also called for the ban to remain in place, she said.
Crime Still on the Rise in Alice Springs
While the recent alcohol restrictions may have produced satisfying results and a reason to continue current restrictions, data from the NT Police Department shows other crimes have continued occurring.From May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022, there were 2,441 crimes committed against persons, while from May 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023, there were 3,186 cases—a 30.52 percent increase.
Crime against property also increased from 7,138 cases to 7,887 cases for the same period, a 10.49 percent increase.
The rate per 100,000 persons also increased with crimes against persons jumping from 8,517 to 11,020 cases per 100,000 people (a 29.39 percent jump), while crimes against property increased from 24,905.8 to 27,281.2 (a 9.54 percent jump).
