Cracking down on bad behaviour in public spaces isn’t anything new, but now, it’s set to hit the hip pocket hard.

With fresh laws on the horizon, those caught sipping on a drink in certain areas may face more than just a slap on the wrist.

In the Northern Territory, that could soon mean a hefty $925 fine for anyone caught having a sneaky drink in banned spots.

This controversial measure, expected to pass in parliament next week, is part of the NT government's latest strategy to curb crime and promote community safety.

The 'nuisance public drinking rules' were designed to give police the authority to not only issue fines but also to arrest those who violate the law.

‘Nuisance public drinking rules’ in NT will be expected to pass in parliament next week. Credit: Shutterstock

Offenders could find themselves placed on a banned drinkers registry for a week, a move that Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro believed would be instrumental in preventing crime.

‘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, the introduction of these new laws has sparked a debate among experts who fear that the rules may exacerbate existing issues rather than solve them.

Critics argue that the laws could affect Indigenous Australians and homeless people.

Dr Cassandra Wright from the Menzies School of Health Research expressed concerns about the potential for these laws to compound racism.

'We know from previous research on safe search and seizure laws that it does tend to compound kind of racism and experiences of racism,' she said.

'There’s racial profiling that kind of happens in the police's decision making.'

Moreover, Dr Wright suggested that the new rules may not effectively address the underlying issues they aim to combat.

'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,' she explained.

Key Takeaways

• The NT government plans to introduce new nuisance public drinking rules, which could result in a $925 fine for offenders.
• Police will have the authority to arrest people, issue fines, and place individuals on a banned drinkers registry for public drinking where alcohol is prohibited.
• The Chief Minister believes these measures are crucial for early intervention to prevent crime, particularly domestic and family violence.
• Experts warn that the new laws might compound racial discrimination and may not effectively reduce crimes such as assaults or property crimes.

Have you witnessed the effects of similar legislation in your community? Do you believe there are better ways to address public safety concerns? Let us know in the comments below.

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

First, public drinking could be defined as beer while washing the car in my driveway.

 

[Mika in the van]

I don’t agree. How can my hubby and I having a beer and a picnic for lunch during the week in a deserted Darwin park be adding to “huge problems associated to alcohol”? And parks are deserted around lunch times. Where else in other Australia states is it impossible to have a picnic with a beer for lunch Mon to Fri? In Darwin the indigenous behaviour sets the rules, and I’m not being racist, I have lived it!

Have a picnic with non alcoholic wine or soft drink. I’m sure it won’t kill you. It’s like asking to be exempt from speeding fines because you don’t won’t hurt anyone.

 

[Jest]

I lived in Darwin for 20 years, and have recently relocated interstate. Interesting that you mentioned “those caught sipping on a drink in certain areas” and “nuisance public drinking rules”. I contacted the authorities once, explaining that I was semi-retired and wished to have picnic lunches with my husband, and asked where I could do this, with a beer or wine. They tried to fob me off, telling me to look at online maps that would answer my question. In reality, the answer was “nowhere”. If I chose to do it, it was “nuisance public drinking”. Yet I would take a walk from our apartment to a beach area mid- afternoon, and there would regularly be a dozen indigenous folk with their cartons of beer, having a jolly drunken time. These are the people they will be targeting, how will they pay the fine? I didn’t ever see gatherings of non- indigenous undertaking “nuisance public drinking”

not good enough. rules are for everyone and this is not helping allowing them to drink.

 

[Jest]

have a get together in your back yard.

 

[Anmafin]

Most of the offenders will not have $925 in the bank so what happens then? They will not be jailed as that costs too much money so the whole business is ridiculous.

I lived in Townsville for a number of years and witnessed indigenous people sitting in a park drinking Methylated spirits. It is very common and the police just confiscated it. I think that removing the alcohol had a better outcome for all. I'm sure that the government will never see the $925.

 

[Deejay11]

have a get together in your back yard.

Not possible with apartment living

 

[Littleboy8]

I lived in Townsville for a number of years and witnessed indigenous people sitting in a park drinking Methylated spirits. It is very common and the police just confiscated it. I think that removing the alcohol had a better outcome for all. I'm sure that the government will never see the $925.

I lived in Darwin and saw the exact same thing and also fornicating in public parks many moons ago, it was a real eye opener for a young chikky babe and her boyfriend travelling around aust at the time.

 

[Deejay11]

Australia as a whole has many drinkers in public spaces. Park areas are commonly utilised for picnics, BBQs etc for gatherings/celebrations. So maybe the Feds need to step in and say “no State or Territory” will allow public drinking. Then it’s the same wherever you live in Oz.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Not possible with apartment living

We could have a great yahoo with about 50 people in @DLHM's apartment!

Plus on the 6th level, there is a huge entertainment area which could cater for 200 plus.

 

[magpie1]

We could have a great yahoo with about 50 people in @DLHM's apartment!

Plus on the 6th level, there is a huge entertainment area which could cater for 200 plus.

Hope you invite all of your neighbors in the apartments....otherwise you will certainly have at the very least 'someone' who will be upset about something or other....best of Luck with that.

 

[Towing]

There is "dry" areas at some events because of assaults, abusive behaviour, drunken behaviour etc.
There has been at some events in SA for many years.

 

[Sylvsptr]

you are all painting the indigenous with the same brush. Not nice!!! There are really good responsible indigenous people out there. Even in Darwin. And I have seen many a white person drunk in public places and making a nuisance of themselves. Even in Darwin! The answers here just seem to be indigenous bashing. Think before you speak!