Chief Minister
Marie-Clare Boothby
Attorney General
Steve Edgington
Minister for Alcohol Policy
Joint Media Release
CLP's nuisance public drinking laws with fines up to $925 set to be introduced
9 October 2024
Stronger laws to deal with nuisance public drinking and problem drunks will be introduced, debated and passed by the new CLP Government in the first sittings of Parliament, commencing next Tuesday.
The government is delivering on its commitment to Territorians to reduce crime by giving police the powers they need to make the community safer.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said nuisance public drinking and problem drunks caused anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled harm.
"The new 'nuisance public drinking' offence will give police powers to fine, charge and arrest people in public places where alcohol is prohibited, as well as issuing those same people a seven-day Banned Drinker Order."
"Importantly, this will not stop Territorians from having a beer while enjoying our unique outdoor lifestyle at places like East Point," Mrs Finocchiaro said
"Community safety is my government's number one priority, and we are proud to deliver this reform as promised."
The nuisance public drinking offence will give police the power to issue a fine of up to $925, a seven-day Banned Drinker Order, as well as tipping out alcohol.
Currently, police can only confiscate or tip out alcohol in public places where alcohol is prohibited.
Prohibited public places covered by the new law are in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Palmerston, Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy, any other public place within 2km of a licensed premises, or any other place prescribed by regulation or by a local council.
There will still be approved exemption areas where consumption of alcohol is allowed during specified hours, including at East Point, Mindil Beach, and the Nightcliff Foreshore.
People can still be charged, arrested and fined for nuisance public drinking in an exemption area.
Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby said: "Labor ignored police concerns when they watered down the power to deal with public drunkenness in 2019, but we are about to restore that and give them even more power."
"This is about making our public spaces and parks safer and cleaner for everyone," she said.
Minister for Alcohol Policy Steve Edgington added: "These powers will allow police to intervene earlier to ensure we stop this scourge in public places where alcohol is prohibited."
"We want to reduce the harm being caused by alcohol in our community and enforce a higher community standard," he said.
