April 29, 2021

Medical specialists have welcomed the news that plans for a liquor megastore in the Northern Territory have been axed.

RACP President Professor John Wilson said, “We welcome today’s news that plans for a liquor megastore in the Northern Territory have been axed.

“This news comes as a relief to specialist physicians who have been seriously concerned about the impacts of building a liquor megastore and the harms that it would bring to the community.

“When we increase the access to alcohol in the community, we see a direct increase in alcohol related harms.

“After all progress that’s been made in reducing alcohol related harm in the Northern Territory, building a liquor megastore would have been a disappointing and an unnecessary step backward.

“We are glad that the concerns of health professionals have been heard. It emphasises the need to consult local communities demonstrating social responsibility.

“We hope that this will herald the start of a process where more socially responsible decision making is made by commercial entities about the impacts of alcohol-related harm in the communities they serve.”