Published Wednesday, 14 May, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
New alcohol laws provide safeguards for Indigenous communities
New laws passed in Parliament last night will provide stronger safeguards for residents of Queensland’s 18 discrete Indigenous communities.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Lindy Nelson-Carr said the laws strengthen existing legislation to ensure the objective of reducing the harm occurring from alcohol can be fully realised.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the laws included divesting canteens owned by councils by prohibiting them to hold a general liquor licence.
“We’re taking alcohol out of local politics,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“For communities affected by this legislation, the government’s goal is to see an improvement in life outcomes for all residents,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“In particular, we aim to see a reduction in alcohol related violence and thereby improve the health and wellbeing of all community members, especially children and women.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Bligh Government was also continuing to work with community leaders to help their communities go as dry as possible.
“We’ve sought feedback from councils, Community Justice Groups and other interested stakeholders and we expect to hear their ideas this week about specific restrictions and services.
“Their efforts will be complemented by our joint commitment with the Commonwealth Government to a package of over $102 million for service enhancements including rehabilitation, detox and diversionary services.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said other key elements of the new laws included toughening restrictions to making it illegal to drink in public places as it is in the rest of the state.
“Any alcohol restrictions will apply to the whole of the community area including private houses and roads.
“As there are around 100,000 vehicles a year that travel on some major roads through the communities, the laws create a bona fide traveller exemption, so that if a person can show they are travelling to a destination beyond the community they will not be in breach of the alcohol restrictions.
“This will be applied to the Savannah Way and the roadhouse in Doomadgee; the Bloomfield Track and car park at Bloomfield Falls in Wujal Wujal; and Frenchmen’s Road and Portland Roads Road through Lockhart River.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said there would also be an offence of attempting to bring illicit alcohol into a community.
“Being able to stop illicit alcohol before it enters a community and is dispersed is another urgently needed tool to address the large amounts of ‘sly grog’ that are entering the communities.
“Other amendments include simplifying the process to declare a private house dry to give tenants, or owners where the property is not leased, more control over drinking in their own homes.
“In addition, there will be an automatic ban on home brew and home brew equipment in all communities that have a zero alcohol carriage limit. Home brew can be banned in communities that have a carriage limit higher than zero through Regulation.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said these and a raft of other changes to the laws were critical in the ongoing effort to address alcohol related harm in Indigenous communities.
“The introduction of this Bill marks the next step towards a positive future for Indigenous Queenslanders and is a key part of an important partnership between the Commonwealth, State and community leaders to seek the best possible health and educational outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders.”
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Lindy Nelson-Carr said the laws strengthen existing legislation to ensure the objective of reducing the harm occurring from alcohol can be fully realised.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the laws included divesting canteens owned by councils by prohibiting them to hold a general liquor licence.
“We’re taking alcohol out of local politics,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“For communities affected by this legislation, the government’s goal is to see an improvement in life outcomes for all residents,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“In particular, we aim to see a reduction in alcohol related violence and thereby improve the health and wellbeing of all community members, especially children and women.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Bligh Government was also continuing to work with community leaders to help their communities go as dry as possible.
“We’ve sought feedback from councils, Community Justice Groups and other interested stakeholders and we expect to hear their ideas this week about specific restrictions and services.
“Their efforts will be complemented by our joint commitment with the Commonwealth Government to a package of over $102 million for service enhancements including rehabilitation, detox and diversionary services.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said other key elements of the new laws included toughening restrictions to making it illegal to drink in public places as it is in the rest of the state.
“Any alcohol restrictions will apply to the whole of the community area including private houses and roads.
“As there are around 100,000 vehicles a year that travel on some major roads through the communities, the laws create a bona fide traveller exemption, so that if a person can show they are travelling to a destination beyond the community they will not be in breach of the alcohol restrictions.
“This will be applied to the Savannah Way and the roadhouse in Doomadgee; the Bloomfield Track and car park at Bloomfield Falls in Wujal Wujal; and Frenchmen’s Road and Portland Roads Road through Lockhart River.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said there would also be an offence of attempting to bring illicit alcohol into a community.
“Being able to stop illicit alcohol before it enters a community and is dispersed is another urgently needed tool to address the large amounts of ‘sly grog’ that are entering the communities.
“Other amendments include simplifying the process to declare a private house dry to give tenants, or owners where the property is not leased, more control over drinking in their own homes.
“In addition, there will be an automatic ban on home brew and home brew equipment in all communities that have a zero alcohol carriage limit. Home brew can be banned in communities that have a carriage limit higher than zero through Regulation.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said these and a raft of other changes to the laws were critical in the ongoing effort to address alcohol related harm in Indigenous communities.
“The introduction of this Bill marks the next step towards a positive future for Indigenous Queenslanders and is a key part of an important partnership between the Commonwealth, State and community leaders to seek the best possible health and educational outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders.”
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280