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About alcohol reforms

The Queensland Government wants Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to go as dry as possible for a period of time. The benefits in having a dry community include:

  • less domestic violence and other violent behaviour
  • better overall health for everyone living in the community
  • safer communities, especially for women and children

Queensland's alcohol reform laws came into effect on 1 July 2008. These laws:

  • make it tougher for 'sly groggers' to bring alcohol into communities
  • make it easier for people to declare their homes dry
  • make the restrictions apply to the whole community, including houses

The laws apply to all areas within community boundaries, including homes.

The aim of 'going dry' is, to provide opportunities to rebuild social norms and healthy families.

Representatives from federal, state and local government will work in partnership with communities to apply these laws. However, the state government will make the final decision in terms of 'how dry' each community will go.

Supports and services

Each community is unique, so the government is working closely with community leaders to develop a tailored approach to reducing alcohol related harm. This includes looking at the services necessary, such as health, sport and recreation services, to support communities to go as dry as possible.

In 2008, the state and federal governments announced $102 million in funding over 4 years to strengthen family and community life through increased services. The government funding will deliver:

  • new alcohol and drug treatment services
  • new programs like 'Cell Watch', sobering up facilities and support for community patrols
  • extra police and support from officers from the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing to enforce alcohol restrictions
  • more programs focused on literacy, before and after school activities and PCYC programs
  • parenting programs, household management and budgeting programs and increased support for vulnerable families
  • more support for local activities, such as men's and women's groups

Measuring outcomes from the alcohol reform laws

The goal is for all Queenslanders to have the same opportunities, no matter where they live.

To measure progress towards this goal, there will be continual measurement of alcohol related harm occurring in the discrete Indigenous communities. When the levels of harm occurring are comparable to that of the general community in Queensland, restrictions can be reviewed.

There will also be regular reporting to the state and federal governments to ensure that the actions taken are both effective and ongoing.

Fact sheets

More information

Last reviewed: 21 January 2009