Shadow Minister for Alcohol Policy, Gerald Maley, says that laws making it an offence to consume liquor in public within 2 km of a licensed premises must be reinstated to curb the skyrocketing rates of alcohol fuelled antisocial behaviour. (the 2km Rule)
“The link between alcohol and antisocial behaviour in the Territory is plain for all to see and Labor’s removal of the 2km Rule has harmed businesses, tourism and has decreased the liveability of our communities.
“The standard that we walk past is the standard that we accept and we need to give police back the authority to arrest people that consume alcohol in public, which will act as a strong deterrent. Antisocial behaviour affects everyone and simply accepting it as a fact of life in the Territory should not be an option.
“In recent weeks we have seen a noticeable increase in antisocial behaviour including:
- Sickening displays such as the riot at the Darwin Woolies on 26 July, which included 12 to 15 people brawling in a public place, some allegedly armed with knives and machetes
- Intoxicated persons stripping naked in the CBD in broad daylight, while children and families are going about their day
- Businesses consistently harassed and staff abused to the point of needing to close for fear of escalating behaviour
- People urinating and defecating in public in clear view of families and workers
“The removal of the 2km Rule meant that police were provided with fewer options when dealing with antisocial behaviour.
“Reinstatement of the 2km Rule will provide police with the ability to curb antisocial behaviour and arrest people that are drinking in public, which serves as a greater deterrent than simply tipping out liquor.
“Concerns over the removal have been voiced by Police officers, the Northern Territory Police Association, councils, licenced premises owners and community members — all of whom had felt the effects of the removal of this legislation and how it has made it more difficult for police to effectively address anti-social behaviour.
“While a problem across the Territory, we know the removal of the 2km Rule has particularly exacerbated problems in Alice Springs, our towns and other regional communities.
“Essentially this adds another device to police’s toolkit—where a custodial option is absent, intoxicated, vulnerable persons may be left on the street to continue to cause a nuisance.
“Services like the Day and Night Patrols serve an important function in dealing with antisocial behaviour, but they are no substitute for police intervention arrest where necessary.
“This change, of course, is part of the CLP’s wider suite of reforms, including youth justice changes, aimed at making communities right across the Northern Territory, safer for all Territorians,” says Mr Maley.
The 2 kilometre rule
In 2019, the Gunner Government passed sweeping amendments to the Liquor Act, which removed the 2km Rule.
Before Labor scrapped it, the Liquor Act included an infringement offence for consuming liquor in public within 2 km of a licensed premises or other designated area.
101V Consumption of liquor at regulated place causing nuisance
(1) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) consumes liquor at a regulated place; and
(b) while consuming the liquor, causes a nuisance to other people.
Maximum penalty: 5 penalty units.
(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
101W Consumption of liquor at regulated place in designated area
(1) A person commits an offence if the person consumes liquor at a regulated place in a designated area.
Maximum penalty: 5 penalty units.
(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
The CLP would Re-instate the 2 kilometre rule giving Police additional powers to deal with antisocial behaviour.
ENDS