Shadow Minister for Health, Bill Yan, says the latest NT crime statistics show a serious failure
in the Gunner Government’s alcohol policy with grog-related assaults continuing to skyrocket
right across the Territory.
“Alcohol-related assaults are rising at an alarming rate. The latest crime stats (year on year to
April 2021) show Territory-wide booze-fuelled violence has climbed by 36%.
“Palmerston recorded a staggering 86% increase, Tennant Creek saw a 46% rise, Katherine is
up 35% and Alice Springs has risen by 7%. These figures are absolutely shameful and just prove
Labor’s alcohol policies have failed right across the Territory.
“The Banned Drinker Register (BDR) has now been in place for three and a half years. It’s time
for a comprehensive review into its impact on curbing alcohol-related harm, violence and
crime – because this trend suggests it’s simply not working. The CLP would also support
scrapping the minimum floor price. There’s absolute no evidence it’s having any success,
particularly when bottles of spirits are being sold for hundreds of dollars in remote
communities.
“There should also be a review of alcohol rehabilitation programs. Of the 1,758 alcohol and
other drug treatments commenced in the NT, either through self-referral or referrals through
various agencies including police, almost half (991) were not completed.
“The latest crime statistics also show domestic-violence continues to plague the entire NT,
with a 31% increase in DV assaults Territory-wide. Again, Palmerston saw the highest increase
with domestic and family violence up 78%, Darwin and Katherine recorded a rise of 33%, while
Tennant Creek and Alice Springs were both up more than 20%.
“The CLP supports a review of rehabilitation and treatment options for perpetrators of
domestic violence, because whatever is in place right now simply isn’t working. For the year
to the end of April, there were 5,344 domestic-violence related assaults in the NT yet in April
2021, only 25 of the 3,519 people on the BDR were place on it due to a domestic-violence
order.
“We’re concerned these trends in violent crimes will only continue to rise unless Labor starts
putting the rights of victims above the rights of offenders,” said Mr Yan.
ENDS