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Location : Wasted Space Job/hobbies : Cayman Islands Actuary
| Subject: Thank dog for small mercies: OZschwitz Abbott backs off NT drink register Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:01 pm | |
| Tony Abbott has backed away from a call for the Northern Territory government to reinstate a banned drinkers' register amid concerns at an increase in alcohol-fuelled violence in indigenous communities.
After calling for the register to be ''preserved'' in a speech to Parliament on Wednesday, the Opposition Leader has bowed to a defiant refusal by the territory's new Country Liberal Party government to reinstate it.
While he said he shared the Prime Minister's concerns about watering down alcohol restrictions in the territory, Mr Abbott told reporters on Thursday he was ''not in the business of being dictatorial or prescriptive''.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said the about-face was extremely disappointing. ''One call from his Country Liberal mates and it seems Tony Abbott is no longer ready to do what's necessary to tackle alcohol abuse,'' she said.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/abbott-backs-off-nt-drink-register-20130207-2e1ce.html#ixzz2KGjmHboK
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