Tough banned drinker laws slammed as draconian

Shadow Attorney-General Michael Gunner says it would be impossible for police to enforce a Northern Territory Government banned drinker plan.

Proposed Alcohol Protection Order (APO) laws would give police the power to impose drinking bans on people who commit certain alcohol-related crimes.

Under the draft legislation, they would then be banned from entering any licensed premises, including pubs, supermarkets, clubs and restaurants, and even sports venues where alcohol is sold.

Mr Gunner says the measures would be draconian.

"It creates these extraordinary circumstances where no alcohol has to be involved," he said.

"You are not necessarily breaching your order; they [police] do not have to know that you are on an alcohol protection order, only suspect that you are on an alcohol protection order to be able to fingerprint you, search you and seize what is on you."

Mr Gunner says people working in licensed premises will not be told who is banned, so enforcement would be completely up to police.

"You can go into a corner store and buy as much alcohol as you want," he said.

"The person selling it to you does not know that you are banned.

"The only way this can be implemented effectively is if the police literally chase down everyone on an alcohol protection order.

"I think the police have a lot more work to do than to be chasing around after people on alcohol protection orders all the time.

"That would take up their whole day."

Alcohol Policy Minister Dave Tollner is unapologetic about the proposed legislation.

He says he doesn't care if people banned from drinking under the APO laws can't go to the football or supermarkets.

Mr Tollner says the laws target people who commit crimes.

"These are people that I do not really care whether they are accessing the football or Fannie Bay Superpizza," he said.

"The fact is, the Government, this Government, is focused on the perpetrators and protecting the community and victims."

There is confusion over whether the laws would also apply to people convicted of mid-range and high-range drink driving.

Earlier this week, Chief Minister Adam Giles said the proposed laws would be presented to the Legislative Assembly without any amendments.

Source: ABC News, 7 November 2013