Liquor restrictions on Aboriginal Land in the Northern Territory

The Australian Government has introduced new laws restricting the supply of liquor to particular areas of the Northern Territory to help create a safer place for children and stem the flow of liquor that is destroying Aboriginal communities.

 

The laws apply to the following prescribed areas in the Northern Territory:

• freehold land held by a land trust under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976
• other Aboriginal communities described as Northern Territory Community Living Areas
• areas declared by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (including all ‘town camps’).
  
  

How will I know if I am in a prescribed area?

If you are on Aboriginal Land, a community living area or a town camp, you are in a prescribed area. A map detailing prescribed areas is available at www.fahcsia.gov.au/nter. Signs will be erected on commonly used roads at the main entry points to the prescribed areas, as well as at major airports.

New rules

• If you drink, possess, supply or transport liquor in a prescribed area, you could face a $1100 fine for a first offence and a $2200 fine for a second or subsequent offence.
• If you are found with 1350ml of more of pure alcohol in a prescribed area, you could be charged with supplying liquor and you may face a fine of up to $74,400 or up to 18 months imprisonment.

You would not be subject to these provisions if you are travelling through a prescribed area to a destination outside that area and have unopened liquor with you.

If you are engaged in recreational boating or commercial fishing activities – you can drink, possess, supply or transport liquor on waters in prescribed areas as long as you have entered the water from a non-prescribed area. You cannot drink, possess, supply or transport liquor on the river bank or the beach.

If you are visiting a Northern Territory national park or other declared area with a tourist operator – you can only drink, possess, supply or transport liquor provided you are engaged in a recreational activity approved by a tourist operator. The activities must be consistent with the park’s plan of management or other tourist information guide available at the park information centre. You must be consuming liquor in a responsible manner and this must be secondary to the organised recreational activity.

You should also be aware that there are some locations in prescribed national parks in the Northern Territory that are exempt from this law.

To find out more visit http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/nter/legis_area_natparks.htm or telephone 1800 333 995 at any time.