Liquor Stores Association NT

New Banned Drinker Register ID Scanners Installed to Turn Problem Drinkers off Tap

New Banned Drinker Register ID scanners will be installed in take-away liquor outlets across the Northern Territory as part of the Enough is Enough Alcohol Reforms to tackle alcohol-related crime and violence.

The NT Treasurer, Delia Lawrie, said $3.2 million to install the Banned Drinker Register scanners and $1.5 million for police to implement Problem Drinker Bans delivers on one of the measures in the ‘Enough is Enough’ alcohol reforms.

“Massive Alcohol misuse fuels 60% of all assaults and 67% of domestic violence incidents across the Territory, costing our economy an estimated $642 million a year.” Ms Lawrie said.

“The New reforms will turn problem drinkers off tap and mandate treatment to stop the violence right across the Territory.

“The Banned Drinker Register will enable people who are banned in one community in the Territory to be banned everywhere.

“This is an important tool to enforce the problem drinker bans and will enable licensees to identify banned drinkers and refuse service.”

Under the system, people buying take-away alcohol will have their photo ID, such as a driver’s licence, evidence of age card or passport, scanned at the point of sale.

“The scan is a quick process to compare an ID against the Banned Drinker Register, no information is recorded and people who are not banned will buy their alcohol as normal,” Ms Lawrie said.

“Most Territorians drink responsibly and will not be affected by the reforms, with the scan a small inconvenience to help curb alcohol-related crime and violence.”

Problem Drinkers can include people taken into protective custody 3 times in 3 months or people who commit alcohol-fuelled crime or violent offences.

Bans can be reduced by attending treatment or rehabilitation, but drinkers who breach bans will have longer bans imposed or be ordered to attend treatment and rehabilitation.

“For our community, our health and our economy, the price of alcohol abuse is far too high – the ID System will target the problem drinker, not punish the responsible majority.”

NT Liquor Commission