The Territory Government is considering giving power to transit officers, public housing safety officers, park rangers, council rangers, and contracted licenced security officers to search people and seize alcohol as part of Liquor Act 2019 review, and also wants feedback on the banned drinkers register, a discussion paper for the review states.

On Tuesday afternoon Chief Minister and Alcohol Policy Minister Natasha Fyles announced the three year review but missing from her statement was what was listed in the discussion paper as issues stakeholders wanted considered as part of the review.

The issues included ways of dealing with noise from venues, including live music, transfers of licences, liquor accords, changes to enforcement of secondary supply of alcohol in remote communities, the extension of a moratorium of takeaway licences beyond August 31, the banned drinkers register, and the expansion of search and seizure powers.

“Potential amendments may include: Amending Part 10 of the Act to allow other appointed officers such as transit officers, public housing safety officers, park rangers, council rangers and contracted licenced security officers as ex-officio inspectors with the authority to search individuals and seize any opened or unopened container that is believed to contain liquor,” the discussion paper states.

“(It should be noted that some appointed officers including public housing safety officers and Alice Springs council rangers already have search and seizure powers under their respective acts and by-laws).”

The legislation came into effect in October 2019, and Ms Fyles said it required a review after three years to allow an opportunity for Territorians to comment on its effectiveness to help reduce alcohol harm.

She said the consultation period was open until February 28, and the discussion paper will be circulated for community members to review before making their submissions. There would also be presentations at various stakeholder meetings, governance groups and community forums, Ms Fyles said.

On December 12, the government also opened consultation on the draft Northern Territory Alcohol Action Plan 2023-2025 until late February 2023.

“While the scope of the review is limited to the legislative and regulatory framework for liquor in the NT, the Action Plan will provide an avenue to explore other policy tools that can be used in addition to regulatory reform,” the discussion paper states.

Ms Fyles said a review report will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly within prior to October 2023.

She said the Liquor Act 2019 changes included implementing a risk-based licensing system, which rewards “accountable” licensees and punishes and penalises those who do not comply with the decree.

And it paved the way for the appointment of a Director of Liquor Licensing who entirely manages liquor compliance and prosecution and set a response timeframe for Licensing NT and the Liquor Commission for applications and complaints.

“We are putting Territorians first with world-leading alcohol reforms to cut alcohol-related harm and reduce antisocial behaviour in our community,” Ms Fyles said.

“This included measures like the Banned Drinkers Register, risk-based licensing and Police auxiliary liquor inspectors. But we know there is still more work to do.”

Submissions can be emailed to alcoholpolicy@nt.gov.au and you can get more information including reading the discussion paper, at the NT government alcohol policy website.