Labor backflip puts Coles and Woolies profits before indigenous health

The Northern Territory has a serious drinking problem. Alcohol consumption per capita in the Northern Territory is among the highest in the world, estimated at 11.6 litres of pure alcohol per year. The Australian average is 9.5 litres and the OECD average of 8.8 litres.

The per capita costs and harms of alcohol consumption in the NT are also the highest in the nation. In 2015-16 the health and social costs were estimated by the Menzies School of Health Research at $1.4 billion a year, four times the national average. This included $100 million for health care; $58 million for road accidents; $272 million for crime; $171 million for child protection.

Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to cancer and obesity and drinking while pregnant…