Grog buy back plea

THE Territory’s Police Association boss has called for the Gunner Government to buy back liquor licences and fix our broken system of grog supply.

President Paul McCue pulls no punches in an exclusive opinion piece in today’s Sunday Territorian calling on the Chief Minister Michael Gunner to take “tough and decisive action” to curb alcohol-related harm.

A government led alcohol review is underway.

POLICE Association president Paul McCue’s frustration with the Territory’s grog problem is laid bare today.

And with good reason. When people sign on to be a member of our Territory Police Force none would be thinking that they would end up being a de facto security guard for a business that is the source of the grog. Mr McCue makes some very good points. Particularly the fact that in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine there are more than 60 fully trained police assigned to only alcohol point of sale work, which is the equivalent of 30 police response vehicles patrolling the streets.

So if you happen to be one of the many, many victims of burglaries or assault by lawless teenagers roaming around our streets, using the cover of darkness to strike, you may well be inclined to question if our police resources are being put to their best use. We are not anti-business, but we do question whose responsibility it is to manage the point of sale problem.

We’re all for tougher penalties for licensed outlets and individuals that break the law selling grog. We’re also supporters of initiatives that keep grog out of the hands and mouths of problem drinkers. And yes it is time for the community to be the winner over politics.