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Labor to blame for NT alcohol management sausage machine supplied by Minister Scullion’s office 11 April 2014
out better ways that provide more community ownership and control
and gets government support on the ground sooner.”
I
ndigenous Affairs Minister, Nigel Scullion, said he was surprised about comments by Labor’s Shayne Neumann and Warren Snowdon, trying to shift blame for lack of progress on Alcohol Management Plans. “Pretending to be concerned about delays in approvals, without a hint of irony, they launched a baseless attack in a statement issued this week,” Minister Scullion said,” the Minister said. “The fact is that the former government designed the cumbersome process surrounding alcohol management plans in the Northern Territory. “They started the process in 2012 and by the time of the 2013 election, after almost two years, had not approved a single plan. “Introducing another level of bureaucracy, in February 2013, the former government introduced new rigid requirements and sent back plans which communities had already endorsed, demanding they be revised. Communities have been struggling ever since. “Labor’s Stronger Futures legislation sets out the tangled process communities must undergo before their plans can be considered by the Minister of the day. “This has meant more work for public servants and longer wait for communities to get initiatives started. “Still no alcohol management plans have found their way through Labor’s process to my desk. “I’ve asked my Department to work on streamlining this cumbersome process and to work
Above: Tipping out alcohol in Alice Springs protest. Image: Alice News. Below: Drinking in Alice Springs Town Camp despite bans in place. Image: The Australian
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