Joint Media Release from Leader of the Opposition Lia Finocchiaro & Shadow Treasurer Bill Yan
Labor’s promise that there would be coverage on bottle shops while Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors (PALIs) transition to constables has been exposed as a lie.
Just 2 weeks ago Brent Potter, the disgraced Police Minister said “we will have coverage on all our bottle shops.”
If PALIs have been sent to Darwin already then it is clear that Brent Potter had been planning to removal of PALI’s for a very long time and still hasn’t been able to make sure alternative plans are in place.
Where are the licencing inspectors Labor promised but has failed to deliver? Even Labor’s Member for Lingiari has called for the police to be reinstated on bottle shops immediately and “that this shouldn't have happened until the government had a transition plan.”
When Brent Potter first announced this plan the CLP was immediately concerned that this was once again Labor backing away from police on bottle shops, just like they did in 2017.
Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro MLA, pointed out that an Alice Springs bottle shop owner had been told there would be no PALIs for the next four months.
“Minister for Police and Alcohol Policy Brett Potter assured Territorians in Tennant Creek, Katherine and Alice Springs, that they would still see a PALI, a constable or a licensing inspector on the bottle shops. These assurances are worthless and Labor has shown once again that they cannot deliver.
“Labor is out of touch with the community and the impact removing PALIs will have, from increased crime and anti-social behaviour and on the staff at the bottleshops and grocery stores.”
Shadow Treasurer Bill Yan, said the CLP supported PALI’s who want to become constables, but clearly Labor doesn’t have a plan to replace those PALI’s on bottle shops which puts our community at risk.
“Labor’s promise of 100% coverage is worthless talk with no delivery,” Mr Yan said.
“Labor removed police from bottle shops in 2017, despite promising to keep them at the 2016 election, and now the disgraced Police Minister is trying to make police on bottle shops disappear and hope no one notices.”
Unlike Labor who focus only on supply, the CLP’s plan focuses on supporting our police with additional powers and resourcing, driving down demand for alcohol with direct investments in community drug and alcohol services, including compulsory alcohol treatment for those who continue to cause alcohol-related harm.
The CLP is dedicated to breaking the cycle of addiction and creating a safe, strong Territory.
Our commitment to tackling demand, not just supply, sets us apart, ensuring a brighter future for all Territorians.
