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The new rule was introduced to address long-term alcohol-related problems in the community.
10:15, Wed, Feb 18, 2026 Updated: 10:26, Wed, Feb 18, 2026
The clampdown came in response to a long-term problem with booze-related harm (Image: Getty)
A town has been hit with tough new rules to address alcohol-related problems that have blighted the community, but many pub landlords aren't happy. Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia has had long-term issues with violence and antisocial behaviour linked to drinking, and this week the Northern Territory's Liquor Commission announced drastic action in a bid to curb excessive boozing.
From today, the service of full-strength alcohol is permitted only from 11:30am to 3pm on Wednesdays to Fridays at more than 20 licensed venues, and the drinks must be served with a full meal, news.com.au reported. Full-strength is classified as above 3.99 per cent ABV. Most premium lagers range from 4 to 5% ABV. It's part of wider efforts by the commission to tackle alcohol-related harm in central Australia.
Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia (Image: Getty)
But one pub manager says the measures are going to be "tough" on his business, and may backfire by pushing locals towards the illegal trade in bootleg spirits he claims is coming into Alice Springs from Port Augusta in South Australia or Mount Isa (Queensland).
Pub workers in Australia have to obtain a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certification, ensuring employees can spot underage drinkers and know when to stop serving people who have overdone it.
The manager, who did not want to give their name, told the outlet that in pubs, intake can be monitored and that domestic violence numbers "usually only go up when alcohol is being served at home". He also claimed that the rules mean larger groups will be able to get away with ordering pints as normal as long as they get a side of chips, for example.
He said he understands the need to tackle alcohol-driven violence, but not why this approach is being taken, and is among others considering an appeal. The liquor commission's decisions can be appealed within 20 days.
Commission chair Russell Goldflam said in an interview with Australian news outlet ABC in November: "We have had a close look at the police statistics and the statistics of the security operators employed by the Yeperenye Centre, and there is a very substantial spike in trouble on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays."
A pub manager says he understands the need to tackle alcohol issues, but not the approach taken (Image: Getty)
NT Police Southern Commander James Gray-Spence said: "Our submission explored different risk controls to reduce alcohol-related harm in Alice Springs. This decision is data-driven.
"Other businesses had observed an increase in incidents between Wednesday and Friday, and our observations confirm that trend."
Cathy Simmonds, chief executive of the industry body Hospitality NT said: "We are very disappointed by the decision to continue down this path, but we are not particularly surprised given the conduct of the liquor commission in its present form," Ms Simmonds said.
"It is one thing to vary the conditions for one licence. It is really unprecedented for the commission to add conditions for 20 in one go without it being a disciplinary act."
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She added: "Staff are doing their best, but we will have to do a massive training program for staff at venues. The inconsistency of the rules day to day means more staff training."
The NT Liquor Commission has been approached for comment via email.
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