Aboriginal community welcomes PM stance on alcohol bans

A central Australian Aboriginal community has welcomed the Prime Minister's endorsement of the right of individual communities to introduce alcohol bans.

Aboriginal leaders have reached a broad agreement with John Howard to tackle alcoholism and violence in communities.

People are prohibited from taking alcohol into Ali Curung, south of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, and the community council has ruled out any type of alcohol licence.

The council's Lionel James says the ban has been good for the community, but the council is working to make it more effective.

"Next year we've planned work with the traditional owners, the police, the liquor commission to find strong rules that will be kept in the community and that the council can enforce the rules with the support and authority of the traditional owners," he said.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 6th December 2004
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au
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Copyright: 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation