Northern Territory police have confirmed their decision to shut down one of the busiest pubs in Alice Springs was based on multiple alleged domestic violence attacks on the premises in recent days.
A 48-hour suspension of the Todd Tavern's liquor licence was announced in a statement issued by NT Police late yesterday.
The suspension meant both of the town's drive-through bottle-shops, which are both now owned by expanding Sydney-based venture Iris Capital, were unable to trade on Saturday because of alleged breaches of alcohol laws.
Under NT law, the police commissioner has the power to suspend licences for 48 hours in circumstances including emergencies and "threat[s] to public safety".
"After extensive investigations into the responsible service of alcohol, police are satisfied that the actions of this licensee constitute an ongoing threat to public safety in the area," Acting Commander Mark Grieve said in the statement released on Friday.
In response to questions from the ABC, police confirmed on Saturday that the suspension related to two alleged incidents of domestic violence at the premises in the town's CBD.
Police also say there has been too few security guards on site "pursuant to the number of patrons ... present".
"The responsible service of alcohol is a legal requirement and police will hold businesses to account," the statement released on Friday said.
The bottle-shop attached to the Gap View Hotel is barred from trading today as a sanction for flouting requirements of the Banned Drinkers' Register (BDR), which blocks the sale of takeaway alcohol to people ordered onto the register.
New owners Iris Capital, which took over both venues as well as four other pubs and the Alice Springs casino last year, has been contacted for comment.
Alcohol involved in domestic violence attempted murder, ABC understands
The closures come as Alice Springs continues to grapple with very high rates of break-ins and property crime, some involving violence, as well as threats against workers and people in public places such as supermarkets.
Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton took to breakfast television to criticise Labor's handling of the situation, following calls from local Mayor Matt Paterson for the army to be brought in to help.
The most serious instance of violence was the alleged attempted murder of a 39-year-old woman by her partner at a home in the suburb of Aruluen.
A 44-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder as well as breaching a domestic violence order.
The ABC understands heavy alcohol consumption was a factor in the alleged attack.
NT Police statistics released yesterday show a 54 per cent increase in both domestic violence and alcohol-related assaults in Alice Springs over the past year.
The jurisdiction has the worst rates of domestic violence in the country, with excessive alcohol involved in a majority of homicides and serious assaults.
More restrictions announced by supermarket giant Coles
During the week the NT government praised alcohol retailers in Alice Springs, who they said had agreed to remove one-litre bottles of spirits from their shelves.
In response to questions from the ABC, a spokesperson for Coles said the company had decided to trial additional purchase limits as well.
They include:
- A limit of one transaction per person per day
- Purchase limits, including two cartons of beer/pre-mixed drinks/cider, one 750ml bottle of spirits or fortified wine and six bottles of wine
The government again dismissed criticism this week of its handling of the end of Intervention-era alcohol bans, which Aboriginal health groups, police and local governments have linked to the current problems.
Asked if it was a mistake to reject calls for an opt-out transition period, Attorney-General Chansey Paech said: "I never regret walking away from racist policy."
"Racist policy is not going to solve social issues in this town, it's only going to perpetuate the issues," he said.
"Community organisations that are critical of the repeal of Stronger Futures, and the Coalition government, knew about this cessation date for nine years and little was done."
The end of Intervention-era laws, including blanket alcohol bans, is the focus of an ongoing federal parliamentary inquiry.
Labor MP Marion Scrymgour, whose electorate of Lingiari covers Alice Springs, told ABC Darwin the committee's final report, due next month, could potentially recommend a reversal of the changes.
