The Northern Territory government has passed legislation that could see the return of alcohol to some remote Aboriginal communities for the first time in 15 years.
Long-term Commonwealth alcohol restrictions in dozens of communities the Northern Territory are set to end in July, unless there is a last-minute extension to the laws by the federal government.
Consequently, the Territory government has introduced changes to local liquor laws giving communities the option to remain ‘dry’, or to introduce alcohol.
Leading Indigenous groups have slammed the changes, arguing legislation is being rushed through by government without consultation.
However, Territory minister Chansey Paech told parliament the government's hand was forced by the Coalition.
"It is walking away at the 11th hour, leaving our government to look after the Territory, bringing in measures to clean up its mess," he said.
The federal government dismissed that account as irresponsible, and said it had been discussing the issue with the Territory government since at least October last year.
"In April, based on the conclusion of the review and following consultation, I accepted the NT Government's offer to transition the legislation," Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt wrote in a statement.
"The NT Government has not yet replied and it seems that on the eve of an election, they've chosen to play politics."
A federal Labor spokesperson said the party supports an end to the laws.
Warning 'rivers of grog' will flow
The legislation is intended as a "stopgap" measure for when the Intervention-era alcohol bans, which have continued under federal Labor's 2012 Stronger Futures legislation, expire.
When that happens, the NT government says more than 100 remote communities will revert back to alcohol restrictions that predate the 2007 laws.
However, under the legislation, about 12 remote communities, more than 30 town camps and more than 200 homelands across the NT will be able to choose whether they want to access alcohol in their communities.
The Country Liberal Party opposition, as well as an independent member of parliament Robyn Lambley, attacked the proposal before it passed parliament on Tuesday night.
"Open the floodgates and rivers of grog and suddenly there is no restriction on the amount they can drink and where they can drink it," she said.
The communities that opt into restrictions will only have them for a two-year period, while their long-term plans for alcohol are discussed.
"This government will not support continuing the mandatory restrictions and obligations of the Intervention," Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said in a statement.
The Territory government has not yet specifically named the communities affected by the legislation.
'Lack of opportunity for consultation'
Leading Indigenous and alcohol-related harm reduction groups have written to the government, arguing the changes have been hastily passed, and the consultation poor.
"We are particularly concerned by the lack of opportunity for consultation with, and contribution from, those who could be most adversely [affected] by the changes," a letter signed by eight organisations sent to the Chief Minister said.
"Especially female and minor residents and the elderly, as well as community staff and service providers."
Mr Paech, an Indigenous man whose vast electorate of Gwoja covers many remote communities, told parliament anyone who thought existing bans were completely effective was living in a "utopian world".
He said the restrictions increased problematic behaviours like expensive black market sales and harmful alternatives like mouthwash and sanitiser.
"Territorians who live in urban centres enjoy the luxury of going home each night and pouring themselves a glass of wine," he said.
"This privilege was not afforded to Territorians who live in remote communities and town camps under the Intervention and Stronger Futures.
"The inequity is what frustrates me the most; that people in towns and urban centres can still look down on Aboriginal people in the bush and say: 'I know what is best for you'."
Since it came to power in 2016, the NT government has implemented several measures targeting problem drinking, including a banned drinkers register and a minimum unit price for takeaway alcohol.
