A Northern Territory politician is set to move a motion in parliament calling for the lifting of intervention-era alcohol restrictions to be paused, with the NT government facing immense pressure over the issue.
Alcohol bans, first introduced by the Commonwealth during the NT intervention in 2007, lifted in some remote communities after federal legislation expired earlier this month.
The end to the bans has coincided with reports from frontline services of a spike in alcohol-related incidents and health presentations, as well as a rise in liquor sales.
Independent MLA Robyn Lambley said the end to alcohol restrictions in some remote communities was fuelling domestic incidents in Alice Springs.
"What we're seeing in Alice Springs is the rolling out of an absolute disaster," she said.
The NT government has been criticised for creating an "opt in" system for individual communities to continue alcohol bans and not consulting widely enough with the dozens of communities impacted.
Ms Lambley said she would introduce a motion to Northern Territory Parliament on Wednesday that would call for "comprehensive consultation" and for the implementation of an "opt out" instead of an "opt in" measure.
Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) chief executive John Paterson has previously said the organisation had concerns about the "hasty" transition process following the end to the legislation and that more consultation was needed.
"We're predicting that there will be an increase in emergency department admissions, alcohol-related injuries, domestic violence, child safety," he said in April.
Earlier this year, Mr Paterson said he had written to the federal and Northern Territory ministers requesting a delay to allow Aboriginal organisations to prepare.
He said he could see a future where the alcohol bans were lifted, but that "we've got to have good regulations".
The Northern Territory Opposition on Tuesday said the federal government should be involved in discussions with the Northern Territory government, following the lifting of alcohol restrictions.
"The Fyles government's handling of [the issue] is nothing short of negligent," Country Liberal Party Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said.
"The government have got to put a pause on this, go back to the drawing board, consult, and come up with a better plan.
"The federal government needs to be playing their role here to ensure that we can minimise the tragic impact of alcohol on domestic and family violence."
Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Price said the decision not to extend the legislation was a mistake.
"The NT government should have asked for a continuation of the … legislation to put measures in place to actually have a plan instead of simply opening up to allowing grog back out in communities again," she told ABC Radio Darwin.
"It's going to be devastating — we're seeing the effects of it now."
Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles confirmed federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney had requested a meeting to discuss reports of a rise in alcohol-related harm.
"We have been in contact and we will continue to work with the federal government," she said.
Ms Fyles defended her government's handling of the alcohol bans, saying the government did not want to continue with "race-based" laws.
"People need to understand [the legislation] was race-based … so what has changed is that a community can opt in if they believe [continuing alcohol bans] is the best measure" she said.
Ms Fyles said "no other jurisdiction in Australia and maybe the world had the alcohol measures we have," referring to the Northern Territory's alcohol floor price, use of Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors and the Banned Drinker's Register.
"There are still measures that are in place," she said.
