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Chief Minister Paul Henderson and Licensing Minister Chris Burns have rolled out the next stage of the Territory Government’s electronic ID system for take away alcohol in Central Australia.

 

Mr Henderson said the computer-based ID system built on the Government’s campaign to crack down on alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

 

“Alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour is a key issue in Cental Australia and my Government has introduced a range of measures address it, including making Alice ‘dry’, private dry areas legislation and restrictions of the supply and quantity of alcohol,” Mr Henderson said.

 

“These initiatives have already had an early impact, with a 10% reduction in the consumption of pure alcohol in the last nine months - that equates to 12 731 fewer casks of wine, or 263 297 fewer cans of full-strength beer drunk each month.

 

“There is more to do, and the electronic ID system will build on these important measures.”

 

Dr Burns said 12 public takeaway alcohol venues in Alice Springs will be required to use electronic ID technology when selling any alcohol.

 

“This system will enable better enforcement of court orders that impose liquor restrictions,” Dr Burns said.

 

“It will help to prevent members of the community who behave either in violent or anti-social ways when affected by alcohol, from purchasing alcohol. 

 

“These are serious measures that are designed to substantially reduce alcohol-related harm.”

 

The system can recognise 19 forms of local and national photo ID and more than 150 international forms of identification and will identify:

• those with a prohibition or alcohol intervention order in place;
• those whose court-imposed bail conditions prohibit alcohol consumption; and
• those with court-imposed domestic violence orders against them prohibiting alcohol consumption.

 Following today's demonstration Dr Burns will fly to Sydney to attend the Health Ministers' Conference to discuss the next Health Care Agreement.

 

Media Contact Chief Minister:       Rebecca Cass 0401 110 389

Media Contact Minister Burns:      Andrea Adlam    0401 119 467

Related files:
hendo.burns.2802.asp id system.pdf ( 80.6 kb )