“It wasn’t an easy decision to make but we have extended that to July 27,” Fyles mentioned right now.
However, she mentioned the federal government wanted extra knowledge earlier than making longer-term plans.
“I think we need to understand what has that impact and what drove down those alcohol-related statistics,” Fyles mentioned.
The city will proceed to have alcohol-free days on Monday and Tuesdays for takeaway and restrict the sale of alcohol to 3-7pm besides on Saturdays.
The extension of the restrictions has come as little shock, however native politicians are questioning the long-term plan for Alice Springs.
“We’ve got a long long way to go,” unbiased MP Robyn Lambley mentioned.
“This is just a little temporary Band-Aid that’s been put on Alice Springs.”
Country Liberal Party MP Bill Yan predicted one other extension.
“In three months, I think we’re going to see the chief minister come out and go ‘we’re going to extend these measures for another three months’,” he mentioned.
“(They’re) just hoping that something is going to change so they don’t have to make the hard decisions they need to.”
The authorities has stridently defended its alcohol coverage file, and Fyles this morning mentioned there might be tweaks made to the banned drinkers’ register, which might see extra folks lower off from shopping for booze.
Eyes gaze upwards as sky turns black
“Alcohol-related harm is one of the territory’s biggest social challenges and no government has done more to curb this issue,” she mentioned.
“From risk-based licensing to the Banned Drinkers Register, from the minimum floor price to our police auxiliary liquor inspectors, and with record funding for alcohol treatment services and domestic, family and sexual violence, we continue to invest heavily in this space.
“Continuing these alcohol restrictions will permit us to additional implement the federal authorities’s $250 million funding into Alice Springs.”
However, critics say any future changes will come too late.
“Surely any tweaking or modification or enchancment ought to have been executed by now,” Lambley said.
Source: www.9news.com.au
