Banned Drinker Register Returns

The Minister for Health Natasha Fyles said from 1 September more than a thousand people will be placed on the BDR and banned from buying take away alcohol. "That figure is expected to grow by up to 500 people a month," she said. “Alcohol abuse has a huge impact on our community. We see the impacts on our streets, in our hospitals and in our justice system, it has to stop. "The BDR will make our community safer by blocking the sale of alcohol to problem drinkers."

From tomorrow individuals will be placed on the BDR if they:

receive any combination of three alcohol related protective custodies or alcohol infringements in two yearsreceive two low-range drink driving offences in three yearsreceive a single mid or high-range drink driving offenceare the defendant in an alcohol related domestic violence orderhave an alcohol prohibition condition on a court order, bail or parole orderare subject to a decision by the BDR Registrar – after having been referred by an authorised person such as a doctor, nurse, child protection worker or family memberself-refer for any reason

Ms Fyles said more than 280 Point Of Sale (POS) devices have been installed across the Territory, with testing carried out over the past fortnight in regional centres. “This testing has allowed for issues to be highlighted and addressed ahead of the Territory wide switch on tomorrow,” she said. From tomorrow all Territorians and visiting tourists will need to show approved photo ID to purchase take away alcohol. The POS devices scan for the name and birth date on an ID and connect securely to the BDR. A RED screen indicates an individuals is on the BDR and the sale of alcohol is blocked. A GREEN screen indicates an individual is not found on the BDR and the sale can go ahead. Minister Fyles said she expects a smooth roll out but has asked for patience from consumers while the new measures are implemented.