00:00As the NT government moves to scrap the territory's controversial minimum alcohol price, Alice
00:08Springs Bottle Shops are choosing to go it alone.
00:12The Liquor Accords intent will be to maintain the status quo in relation to the floor price.
00:19The measure was introduced by the previous Labor government in 2018, banning sales below
00:24$1.30 per standard drink.
00:27It's been effective, it works, we've seen a very substantial reduction in hospitalisations
00:32for injury.
00:33But this week, the government will introduce legislation to Parliament to abandon the floor
00:38price.
00:39What it's clearly shown is that it's moved people on to stronger spirits and we've seen
00:43devastating results because of that.
00:46However, all Alice Springs Bottle Shops, except Coles and BWS, have indicated they'll voluntarily
00:52maintain the measure.
00:53That it does have an impact, that it does stop people selling cheap, particularly clean
00:59skin wines and cask wine.
01:01Alcohol control advocates have welcomed the move, but say the floor price must continue
01:05territory wide.
01:07It's much better to have legislation, to have a level playing field across the Northern
01:11Territory.
01:13Last week, the NT chief minister said she expects alcohol will be cheaper from next
01:16week if the floor price is scrapped.
01:20She also argued the measure has only benefited bottle shops by increasing their revenue.
01:25So it's quite disappointing actually that bottle shops in Alice Springs are seeking
01:28to keep this money in their pocket.
01:30But the Alice Springs Liquor Accord say scrapping the floor price will have little impact on
01:36liquor costs.
01:37Excise has gone up around 22% since the implementation of the floor price, so there wouldn't be any
01:44expectation of customers getting cheaper alcohol.
01:47BWS says it will be monitoring the bill's progress through parliament and will review
01:51any changes.
01:52BWS was contacted for comment.
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