Queensland Commissioner calls for Mt Isa pubs to enforce alcohol bans in the NT
In a bid to tackle the growing issue of alcohol and domestic violence abuse in Mount Isa, Queensland's new Border Commissioner, Ian Leavers, is pushing for the enforcement of Northern Territory pub bans in parts of the state. The move has gained the backing of a local MP, who shares concerns about the impact of unrestricted alcohol access on the community.
According to Leavers, restricted residents from the Northern Territory are flocking to Mount Isa to circumvent pub bans. Leavers warns the influx is putting a significant strain on local health services and contributing to a disturbingly high rate of domestic violence in the city.
In his first committee briefing since taking office six months ago, Leavers expressed his concerns about the issue and announced plans to meet with publicans to discuss ways to address alcohol abuse in the region. The proposed enforcement of Northern Territory pub bans in Queensland is seen as a crucial step towards mitigating the social and health impacts of excessive drinking in Mount Isa.
“I would like to see if Queensland could honour the banning notices that are issued in the Northern Territory, because the oversupply and consumption of alcohol by people on banning notices is not only causing a detriment to people in Mount Isa, it’s having an impact upon the health services,” Leavers said.
“And those vulnerable people, their health is not what it should be.”
The commissioner is calling for federal funding to establish a dedicated border police facility to tackle problems that are being overlooked, including the movement of residents from Northern Territory communities to Mount Isa.
One of the key concerns is the lack of data sharing between the two jurisdictions, which can lead to domestic violence offenders being allowed to live with their victims. Additionally, there are fears for the welfare of children in Northern Territory communities near the border, where Queensland child services are powerless to intervene.
The border commissioner's office operates on a modest three-year, $1.8 million budget and is facing significant challenges in addressing these issues.
“They’re a very small jurisdiction, but I think there is a bit of work to be done in the NT,” Leavers said.
“What I’ll say in this role, Queensland generally picks up the slack for other jurisdictions.”
Mount Isa residents have expressed concerns over the daily queues forming outside central liquor stores before they open, which are thought to contribute to incidents of intoxication and violence.
Mayor Peta MacRae is seeking more information on the origins of these individuals, as the long-standing assumption that they come from the Northern Territory may not be entirely accurate.
MacRae has discussed the community's worries with Levers and plans to meet with Barkly Mayor Sid Vashist to explore regional development opportunities.
Meanwhile, Traeger MP Robbie Katter has endorsed the commissioner's proposal to have publicans uphold NT alcohol bans, describing it as a sensible solution.
Katter said Mount Isa has borne the burden of alcohol-related violence and healthcare pressures for too long.
Jonathan Jackson, 18th March 2025
