Retailers hit out at alcohol restrictions in Australia

The Northern Territory (NT) government has extended restrictions on alcohol sales in Alice Springs – a move Retail Drinks Australia said had been made with a lack of evidence to its effectiveness.

The NT government first announced restrictions in January this year, including limited bottle shop trading hours, and a ban on takeaway alcohol on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Customers are also limited to one transaction per day.

Now, the restrictions on takeaway alcohol in Alice Springs have been extended for at least 12 months, but could last up to 18 months. The government said the decision was made after a reduction in harm to the community – which was the aim of the measurements in the first place.

Natasha Fyles, chief minister and minister for alcohol policy, said: “Alcohol-related harm is one of the Territory’s biggest social challenges, which is why addressing it is one of the Territory government’s biggest priorities.

“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. But we know we’ve still got more work to do.

“Our police officers, our hospital staff and our social sector, who work in Alice have been loud and clear – they are all telling us that these restrictions need to stay in place. We are listening to them.

“I know that some retailers may not like this approach. It’s a difficult decision, but it’s the right decision. It has to be done. And I thank retailers and other businesses for continuing to work with us.”

Lack of evidence

However, trade body Retail Drinks Australia has hit out at the extension, and argued there is a lack of evidence to support the decision.

Michael Waters, Retail Drinks CEO, said: “Extending government restrictions on retailers for 12-18 months without providing any evidence of the root cause of the problem is just astounding.

“How is it that retail liquor stores are the sole cause of the issue? What is the government doing to target the ongoing demand by at-risk individuals, wherever they access alcohol.

“The retail liquor industry is eager to collaborate with the NT government to find effective solutions to the issues at hand – our members were the first to act when problems started to occur, self-imposing quantity limits on products.

“Under the current restrictions, what we see are long queues both before and throughout the relatively short hours of permitted trade, creating operational challenges.”

Targeted approach needed

Waters said it was essential to identify individuals who abuse alcohol and restrict their access to alcohol, rather than targeting an entire community for the actions of a few.

He added: “Let it be clear that [the] industry is not proposing a return to what was in place prior to the restrictions being introduced in January this year, rather some sensible adjustments to the existing restrictions.

“With these restrictions in place for up to 18 months, some retailers may be unable to sustain their businesses.

“We believe that the NT government should adopt a staged evidence-based approach to evaluate the current restrictions and involve industry and community by sharing the data to help inform decision-making.”