Chief Minister Natasha Fyles blames former federal government for rising alcohol-related harm in the Northern Territories

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The Northern Territory Chief Minister has denied responsibility for the increase in alcohol-related harm and violence in Central Australia after long-term grog bans were lifted.

Key points:The Northern Territory Chief Minister blamed the former Federal Government for the rise in alcohol-related violence in Central AustraliaIn October, Alice Springs recorded its highest monthly assault total since the start recordings in 2014 when the Stronger Futures laws ceased

The Stronger Futures laws ended July 17, making alcohol legal in dozens of Indigenous living areas for the first time in 15 years.

Natasha Fyles blamed the federal government for the end of Intervention-era restrictions.

“It wasn’t our policy change, it was the coalition federal government’s policy change,” she told ABC Radio Alice Springs on Wednesday.

“There was Commonwealth legislation that ceased.”

In Alice Springs, domestic violence and alcohol-related assaults rose 48% in the 12 months to October, according to the latest crime statistics from NT Police.

There were 266 recorded assaults in the township in October, the highest monthly total in at least eight years.

Ms Fyles said her government had made progress in addressing the challenges caused by alcohol in the Northern Territory.

“Where is the matter at the old Commonwealth Coalition [government]who got away with it,” she asked.

Natasha Fyles Says Former Feds Walked Away From Stronger Futures Legislation. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)

“We deal with what we can, we have interim legislation, we have the BDR (banned drinkers register), we have a price floor, we have risk-based licensing.

“But I don’t think it’s fair to blame when it wasn’t our legislation that stopped.”

The NT chief minister said she was particularly focused on tackling alcohol-related harm in Alice Springs, which has borne the brunt of escalating crime.

“For communities and urban camps, some have chosen not to consume alcohol,” she said.

“We encourage communities to consider the fact that they can register and benefit from a two-year alcohol-free period while they develop an alcohol management plan.

“Then they can decide if they allow takeout. [alcohol service] … [or] watch an authorized place within their community. »

Communities and urban camps can choose to be a dry community until January 31, 2023.

Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson challenged Ms Fyles’ stance on liquor policy legislation, saying it was not fair to blame previous governments.

Matt Paterson says the Northern Territories government could have made its own liquor restriction laws. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)

“[Ms Fyles’] government can make laws, parliaments make laws, so they can change that law,” he said.

“We’re here now, you can blame whoever you want, but the fact is I’m in local government, things that go wrong, you can’t blame other people, because we’re in charge now.

“At some point you have to stop blaming old governments, and then if you’re in charge, you can make the laws make the laws.”

Mr Paterson believes the current alcohol restrictions are not working and is urging the Chief Minister to ‘go back to the drawing board’.

He said the Northern Territories government’s response to the end of the Stronger Futures legislation had been “clearly rushed”.

“We had 10 years to find a solution, we didn’t, and then it was right on our doorstep,” the mayor said.

“Stronger Futures was there for 10 years, it could have been there another two while we were putting plans and processes in place.

“If it hadn’t been for an election it would have been extended, but Alice Springs has again been used as a political football.”

Earlier this week, Kirsten Engels, acting Northern Territories Police Commander for Central Australia, spoke out in favor of greater restrictions on alcohol supplies, saying “we don’t need to reinvent the wheel”.

Kirsten Engels linked the spike in violence in Alice Springs to the end of long-term grog bans. (ABC News: Hamish Harty)

She said it was “impossible” not to link a spike in domestic violence incidents in Alice Springs and the end of the bans.

“I regularly talk to my people on the street, and they tell me that alcohol assaults aren’t going down,” she said.

“We’ve put together some stats…they’ve settled down a bit, and now they seem to be heading in the wrong direction.

“We correlate domestic and family violence with an increase in alcohol for sure.”

Alcohol laws in the Northern Territory are currently undergoing a triennial review by the Northern Territories Government, with a consultation opening earlier this week.

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