NT to buy back liquor licences to cut down on alcohol sales

The Northern Territory government will offer to buy back liquor licences in an effort to reduce the amount of takeaway alcohol being sold in the coming weeks.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced today that for the next four weeks, grocery store licensees will be able to ask the government to purchase their liquor licence.

All offers will be made commercial in confidence.

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In January, the NT government ordered quarterly reporting for the 25 per cent cap on liquor sales from grocery stores.

It ensures that alcohol cannot be the primary money-maker for such venues, meaning the owners can close that arm of the business without the shop going under.

"We are putting Territorians first with world-leading alcohol reforms to cut alcohol-related harm and reduce antisocial behaviour in our community," Fyles said.

"This included measures like the banned drinkers register, risk-based licensing, and police auxiliary liquor inspectors - but we know there is still more work to do.

"We are using innovative ways to reduce liquor licences in the community.

"Instead of them being transferred, we will purchase the liquor licence, creating less outlets to purchase alcohol from.

"Given the ongoing alcohol-related harm we're seeing in the Territory, particularly over the last few months, this buy-back scheme will likely see a decrease in alcohol sales."

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The announcement follows the recent unveiling of a suite of measures in the Northern Territory designed to combat crime.

Residents of Alice Springs have been dealing with a wave of violent crime for months, while Fyles said recently that knife crime was on the rise.

Young bottle shop worker Declan Laverty was allegedly stabbed to death in Darwin earlier this month.

The NT government will review bail laws and penalties for weapon offences, including the presumption for and against bail.

Police will also be granted heavier search powers, with Deputy Commissioner Michael Murphy saying officers would be able to act on a "hunch" or a tip from the community if they suspect somebody is carrying a weapon.

The government will also seek to grant the power to wield capsicum spray to transit safety officers and crowd controllers.

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