4 & 5 litre wine casks banned in the NT Jan 1 2011

Thanks for the 'heads up' Rick.

That's it for me now - one of the two tanks is gonna have to be dedicated vino storage for the extended trek back to the NT next year.

Last year the ban started around the Kimberley area and will probably extend further down before long.

Getting the 'DT's' just thinking about it......

Cheers - Phil

Why.....Have (they) given a reason ?????

Merry Xmas

Well remember in 08 trying to stock up for the csr.Pull up to shop,wife and i get out,buy one cask each then on to the next shop etc.
Can understand the reason behind it though.

Thanks Rick,

So glad I have given up the demon alcohol. LOL

Regards,

Heather

Ah well as long as the Locals benefit from the restrictions all is good, but I hate being treated like a criminal if you forget to do as the authorities want, and you have to hide your stock that you purchased in another state at a cheaper price, geez we carry a couple of cartons of bottled wine and also stubbies, we also replace that when it runs down, we don't mind spending a dollar in outback towns because every little bit helps the community.

Cheers

It would not surprise me if full proabition is not introduced and we all know what that will mean but apart from that the drug trade will increase. Its a pity all must suffer for the sake of a few.

RIP Silver Lady!

All it will do is increase the sale of bottled wine and when they shove extra restrictions on that spirits sales will soar ,, penalise the many for the sake of a few ,,, those that are the problem simply move to a less restrictive place anyway,,,,,

I seem to remember that a few years back, in Mt Isa, there was a trial period when cask wine sales were banned. The result was a big upsurge in sales of bottles/flagons of cheap sherry and port, etc. Problems developed related to broken glass and injuries from broken bottle fights and, I think, resulted in cask wine sales being reinstated.

This will have a considerable effect on tourism in the NT, just as it has done in Alice Springs and other areas, with a variety of regulations and shopping hours.

Internal tourism is down by almost 15% currently, and this will have a pronounced effect on the 2011 tourism season if it’s allowed to continue. Common sense needs to prevail, otherwise towns will shut down.

I know 99% of you won’t like this (and I’m prepared to be moderated). The simple fact is the younger Aboriginal population is out of control, and creating an unworkable situation that’s destroying towns from the Pilbara, Kimberley, Cape York and the Central parts of NSW to name a few.

A man would have to be lame with a blind dog not to notice this!

Some of the outlying communities such as Mullin are trying to do the right thing, but there’s no hiding the fact that we have a problem with drop kicks.

The old Aboriginal drovers are by far the best blokes I’ve ever come across, but even they lament on what’s happening up North.

This has been going on for over more than forty years without any resolution and it won’t be fixed by Government. The Aboriginal’s need to get their act together. I have respect for a man and his family. Unlike all the bleeding hearts and Greenies who exacerbation the problem rather than fix it!

It doesn’t matter if your black or white, responsibility for your life is the key to an identity. Life is as simple as that.

cheers

Hi Rick

I do not drink, but the writing is unfortunately on the wall. Yes they banned full strength grog of any variety in Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing, so all the regular drinkers from those towns migrated Kununurra and Broome. Nothing really changed, just the location of the trouble.

Alcoholism is a major problem within the Aboriginal population, no use trying to get around that, and because of this diabetes is up around the 80% levels in the local population, but they are just statistics. The only benefit is that family violence has dramatically decreased in Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing, but I do not understand why establishments cannot serve people who can show bona fides that they are travelling through. That has been suggested but ignored.

Cheers

The whole thing seems a bit misguided. You can not eliminate social problems by regulation. At best you nibble around the edges. The five minute fix or putting a bandaid on it, is not an answer.

Last time I was through the Northern Territory I did not buy any take away alcohol at all. I got a couple of cartons at Kununurra and that lasted me all the way back. I still had a carton on return. Not buying in the Northern Territory was a direct result of the year before when photo ID had to be produced and recorded at Alice Springs.

Sometime ago there were complicated and rather draconian measures introduced in Cape York. Strange that I have not been to far north Queensland since! However if I did, it would be an alcohol free trip.

As to mid strength beer, well I don't like it. It is not a substitute for real beer. For some reason it does not agree with me and I would rather not bother drinking that muck at all.

My experiences are not unique and others would have had similar experiences. I do not like the draconian measures that make the traveller out to be a contraband runner.

This does not mean I will not visit places that have these measures but it does mean they are rather further down the list than they would otherwise be.

I do value the right to have a few beers or wines with mates at the end of a day and this does influence where I travel.

Flynnie