Banned Drinker Register (BDR) set to return

Residents and tourists buying takeaway alcohol in Tennant Creek will have ID scanned in preparation for the BDR rollout

Posted: Thursday, 17 August 2017

The Territory Labor Government will start scanning IDs at takeaway liquor outlets in Tennant Creek and five other NT communities from tomorrow (19 August) to ensure equipment is ready for the Banned Drinker Register’s (BDR) return on 1 September.

Scanning of IDs before the purchase of alcohol will also be rolled out in takeaway outlets in Alice Springs, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Groote Eylandt and Milikapiti to comply with approved identification scanning requirements under section 31A of the Liquor Act.

The Minister for Health Natasha Fyles said that early scanning allows the equipment and broader system to be tested and for any glitches to be ironed out.

“Early scanning won’t pick up people on the BDR as the BDR triggers do not start until 1 September,” she said.

"Early scanning will identify individuals who are already prohibited from buying alcohol under section 31A(2) of the Liquor Act and they won’t be permitted to purchase takeaway alcohol.

"This includes individuals who are subject to a Court ordered bail condition relating to liquor and individuals who are subject to a Domestic and Family Violence order relating to liquor.”

Ms Fyles said the BDR will make the Territory safer by cutting the flow of takeaway alcohol to problem drinkers.

The testing of equipment will continue throughout August. The BDR returns across the Territory on 1 September 2017.