A review of Alcohol Management Plans (AMPs) in Queensland’s 19 discrete and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has been finalised by the Palaszczuk Government.
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Jackie Trad said the Palaszczuk Government would partner with communities on a new approach to alcohol management.
“Each of the 19 communities contributed an alcohol management proposal to the review for consideration,” Ms Trad said.
“It’s clear there is a universal desire among communities to maintain Alcohol Management Plans but with greater local input and targeted strategies for improving community safety and wellbeing.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities know better than anybody what works best for them.
“That’s why I have written to the Mayors of the communities with AMPs to offer partnerships on new, community-led approaches to the management of alcohol and the reduction of alcohol-related harm and sly grog.
“Finalising the review of Alcohol Management Plans delivers on the Palaszczuk Government’s election commitment to discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities including Palm Island.”
Modifications to carriage limits in other communities will be examined on a case-by-case basis with local leaders while considering community safety plans, community sentiment and rates of alcohol-related harm.
Ms Trad said Aurukun Shire Council was one community that had demonstrated strong leadership on alcohol management.
“Recently, Aurukun Shire Council decided against applying for a temporary licence to serve alcohol at a community event after bringing local residents together to seek their feedback,” Ms Trad said.
“Genuine discussion and consensus among local leaders and residents are crucial components of our new approach to alcohol management in discrete and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
The Palaszczuk Government’s AMP review included three elements; community-led input for each of the 19 AMPs, analysis of the effectiveness of AMPs by PwC’s Indigenous Consulting, and research into the potential criminalisation of residents from alcohol restriction-related offences.
“We know sly grog and homebrew is a concern for many communities which puts at risk the safety of vulnerable residents and the effectiveness of Alcohol Management Plans,” Ms Trad said.
“Changes have already been made to laws targeting the ingredients commonly used in homebrew, but there’s more enforcement work to be done to stop the movement of sly grog into areas with AMPs.
“There are range of complex views among local leaders and residents about alcohol and its impact on communities, and I want to thank everyone involved in the review for their contribution.
“While the previous LNP Government, which Deb Frecklington was part of, was big on alcohol management rhetoric, it failed to deliver results and ultimately put communities at risk by slashing important support services.
“In the coming months, the Palaszczuk Government’s Ministerial and Government Champions will be playing an important role in working directly with individual communities and local leaders to tailor AMPs to local needs.
“Their priority will be building capacity to implement community-specific strategies for effective alcohol management, including through the development of community safety plans, and the delivery of locally-run services to support the safety and wellbeing of residents.”
