Aussie region's controversial new drinking law attracts $925 fine

The Northern Territory government is set to introduce new 'nuisance public drinking rules' next week.

Left, a police car in front of a pub. Right a smashed Bundaberg run bottle on the ground in the NT.
People caught drinking in prohibited areas could cop a $925 fine under new 'nuisance public drinking rules' set to be introduced in the NT next week. Source: ABC Darwin/Facebook

People who drink alcohol in public could cop a $925 on-the-spot fine under a law set to be passed next week in the Northern Territory. The NT government will introduce new “nuisance public drinking rules” when parliament meets on Tuesday in an effort to reduce crime in communities, the ABC reports.

The move will allow police to arrest people drinking in public spaces where alcohol is prohibited, issue hefty fines and place offenders on a banned drinkers registry for a week.

Searches for domestic violence orders, outstanding warrants and breaches of bail will also be run on those charged, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said, the broadcaster reports.

“Public drinking is a really important part of stopping crime before it's happened,” she said. “This is about making sure we intervene early in nuisance public drinking to stop crime, particularly domestic and family violence, happening later in the evening.”

However, some experts have shared their concerns the new law will be more harmful than helpful and specifically target Indigenous Australians and homeless people.

“We know from previous research on safe search and seizure laws, that it does tend to compound kind of racism and experiences of racism,” Dr Cassandra Wright with Menzies School of Health Research told ABC Darwin. “There’s racial profiling that kind of happens in the police's decision making.”

Dr Wright argued the rules also don’t properly address the “issue”.

“The research shows that it’s not actually likely to reduce things like assaults or like property crimes, and things that Territorians are kind of saying they’re worried about.”

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