Legislative changes will keep those on the Banned Drinker Register away from alcohol for longer. Photo: Kris Prahl.
The Northern Territory’s CLP Government is continuing to act on its law-and-order agenda, passing changes in Parliament to bolster the consequences for alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.
Amendments to the Alcohol Harm Reduction Amendment (Banned Drinker Orders) Bill 2025 increased public drinking bans from seven days to 28.
A Banned Drinker Order is a measure that police may use to prevent a person from purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol for a certain period.
An order may be given to someone who has been taken into custody for an incident related to alcohol, issued an infringement notice related to alcohol, issued a banning notice due to alcohol-related violence, or found consuming alcohol in a prohibited public place.
The legislative amendment was announced by Minister for Alcohol Policy Steve Edgington.
“Extending police-issued Banned Drinker Orders from seven days to 28 days sends a clear signal that alcohol-fuelled violence won’t be tolerated and that offenders face real consequences for their actions,” Mr Edgington said.
“This gives police another tool to crack down on alcohol-fuelled violence and keep our community safe.
“The CLP Government will continue to act decisively to put the rights of victims and the community ahead of offenders.”
Mr Edgington said police consultations had revealed that excessive drinking remained a major catalyst of crimes, including domestic violence and assault.
He said the policy change was designed to give police more powers to keep Territorians safe and to reduce the scourge of alcohol-related violence.
“Extending BDOs not only restricts harmful behaviour, but it also gives people the chance to get help and engage with support services with the time and support to change their behaviour,” Mr Edgington said.
The change to the system was part of the review of the Banned Drinker Register, a promise that the CLP Government took to the last election.
The government said it would consider the review’s remaining recommendations.
