Stronger liquor laws and bus safety measure set to come into effect

The NT Government is strengthening NT liquor laws and giving powers to Transit Officers to tip out alcohol.

On 1 July 2024, the on-the-spot penalty for patrons that fail to leave, or attempt to re-enter, a licensed premises after being barred will face a fine of 5 penalty units or $925.

The NT Government will be implementing strengthened Liquor Regulations 2019 from 1 July 2024.

Amendments to the Regulation include new conditions for grocery stores and takeaway licensees to address the consumption of alcohol on prohibited public places.

From 1, July 2024 licensees and their employees in the Darwin urban liquor control area can refuse service to a customer if:

• the customer cannot state the place where the alcohol is intended to be consumed or,
• if the intended location is a prohibited public place or other restricted area.

The licensee or an employee of the licensee is not required to make this request if they believe that doing so would be a risk to the safety of any person on the licensed premises. Security guards at bottle shops also have the ability to use OC spray for protection.

The requirement will only apply to the Darwin urban liquor control area and includes:

• Darwin city and surrounds
• Palmerston
• Coolalinga
• Howard Springs and
• Virginia.

The area does not include Humpty Doo and Weddell and the areas beyond.

Public transport will also receive a public safety boost, while reducing cost-of-living from 1 July.

From this date, Transit Officers will have powers to tip out alcohol in prohibited places such as bus stops and bus fares will be waived for 3 months.