After repeated rejections of a return to Stronger Futures, Chief Minister Natasha Fyles is introducing legislation that looks remarkably similar in parliament today, according to Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro.
“Natasha’s press conferences say it’s not Stronger Futures but her legislation says it is,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“Her legislation itself actually uses the words ‘Stronger Futures’ and refers to alcohol protected areas as ‘any alcohol protected area under the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Act 2012 (Cth) as in force immediately before 17 July 2022’.
“Natasha can say it’s not the same, but a Stronger Futures legislation, by any other name, still tastes like egg on the face for the Fyles government.”
Mrs Finocchiaro said the proposed legislation enabled a town camp to opt out and allow alcohol again if it developed a community alcohol plan supported by 60% of adult residents.
“But they have to supply ‘evidence’ of the 60% support and there are no details on what would count as enough evidence,” she said.
“The Bill suggests the applicant ‘may’ wish to engage the NTEC – so this is neither mandatory nor a uniform approach.”
Mrs Finocchiaro said she was concerned about town camp residents being coerced into making a decision against their will.
“These concerns were raised when the government first floated the idea, including by Labor MP Marion Scrymgour, but those concerns have not been addressed,” she said.
“This legislation has been scrambled together and misses important details, proving Labor had no intention of making these changes until the Prime Minister flew in and told the Chief Minister how to do her job.”
ENDS