LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
Selena Uibo MLA
CLP to make Alcohol cheaper and more available for chronic Alcoholics
The CLP’s plans to scrap the minimum floor price for alcohol will lead to more alcohol-fuelled violence in the Northern Territory.
In the week when Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage released findings that highlighted the contributing factor alcohol plays in domestic violence, this is an irresponsible and regressive step.
There is clear independent evidence that a minimum floor price reduces alcohol-related harm.
The Central Australian Aboriginal Congress released a study from 2015 to 2024 which outlines the Minimum Unit Price was responsible for a 21% fall in alcohol-related domestic assaults in Alice Springs.
Responding to this study in February, the now Chief Minister said she would “slowly taper those back (alcohol reduction measures) when we have programs in place to fill the gaps”.
Now in government the CLP Chief Minister is swiftly removing the Minimum Unit Price with no plans to implement programs to reduce alcohol fuelled violence.
Further, The Menzies School of Health Research report from 2016 to 2018 also concluded a 21% reduction in alcohol involved domestic assaults and a 14% reduction in alcohol-related assaults in the NT.
There are a range of measures to reduce alcohol-related harm across the Territory; a minimum alcohol floor price is an integral part of the response to alcohol-fuelled crime in our community.
Quotes attributed to Opposition Leader Selena Uibo:
“Territorians should be able to to enjoy a drink but we also need to have strong measures in place to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence.
“When there is less alcohol related harm, our families feel safer, our businesses thrive and our economy grows.
“A minimum floor price is a proven way to reduce harm caused by grog abuse in our communities.”