NT music sector responds to possible Darwin lockouts

In the wake of NT Attorney-General Natasha Fyles’ comments that lockout laws for Darwin’s entertainment precincts are still on the cards, the Northern Territory music industry has responded by initiating talks with officials.

The four venues which trade past 2:00am already have a 3:00am lockout and 4:00am close in place.

Last March however, in the run-up to the territory’s August elections, the NT Police Association and the Royal Australasian College Of Surgeons pushed for trading to be stopped by 1:00am, similar to the laws adopted in NSW and Queensland.

Nothing really came of it but venues began working closer together to address intoxication and assault issues.

The Labor Party had a landslide win on the back of electoral promise to address the territory’s alcohol problem. The new Government had not brought up lockouts until last week when Fyles appeared on Katie Woolf’s show on Mix 104.1 Darwin signalling that it was still a possibility.

Speaking broadly, she said that a review was being conducted on the existing Liquor Act and opening hours for licensed venues.

A discussion paper for community consultation is being prepared for release in the next few weeks.

“Our Government’s election commitment to Territorians was to undertake an assessment of the liquor licensing regimen,” she said. “We will consult broadly with the community and with industry about the best regimen to introduce.”

She would not comment on similar policies in Queensland and NSW where late trading hours were restricted, and certain alcohol drinks banned after midnight.

Peak music association Music NT’s Chief Mark Smith told TMN that he will meet with the Australian Hotels Association NT today (Monday), and hopes to set up a meeting shortly with the Attorney General for clarification.

“The Attorney General’s comments were pretty broad,” Smith said. “But there’s always alarm over the unknown.”

Lockouts in Darwin will affect the ten venues which showcase bands (original and cover) as well as DJs at a time when spending money is down after the end of the mining boom.

Last December, under the auspices of the Sydney-based Live Music Office, the NT live music industry became known as the Music Industry Council. It includes venue operators, associations like MusicNT, police and government.

Its aim is to discuss challenges faced by venues, including noise complaints, increasing venue audience numbers and strategies to strengthen the band scene. Its second meeting is scheduled to be held at the end of February when the introduction of lockout laws will be discussed.