Northern Territory Government Newsroom

The Territory Government is building safer communities with the introduction of the Liquor Bill 2019.

This is an important milestone - delivering on 70 key recommendations from the recent Riley Review that found the Territory’s Liquor Act wasn’t fit for purpose.

This bill includes measures to build a robust and sustainable entertainment industry - with the introduction of risk based licensing fees.

We are introducing a risk-based licensing model that rewards businesses that do the right thing with discounts and low fees – targets those businesses that do the wrong thing with financial penalties.

Industry, stakeholders, police, licensing and the community have now all had an opportunity to provide submissions on the model.

The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction not to have implemented an annual licence fee structure.

The Bill also:

• Addresses concerns about inedible substances such as mouthwash and vanilla essence.

• Removes confusing and inconsistent provisions in the Act to provide a stronger and more robust regulatory framework

• Allows products to be exempt from the floor price via regulation. For example, cooking wine.

• Improves the applications and complaints process, including prescribed timeframes

• Recognises the independent Liquor Commission as primary decision-maker under the Act

• Establishes the Director of Licensing

• Updates penalties and offences
• Sets out special search and seizure powers available to inspectors and police.

Quotes from the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Natasha Fyles:

“We are putting Territorians first with nation-leading alcohol policy and legislation to make our community safer."

“Significant work has already been done with the introduction of the BDR and floor price, the establishment of a sustainable model for PALI’s and the introduction of secondary supply measures."

“There are early indications that our policies are having a positive impact. These are policy and legislation changes that we did have bipartisan support on and I am disappointed to now hear the CLP won’t put Territorians first – they’ll put politics first.”

Media contact: Rob Cross 0439 778 095