On September 28, over 450 locals gathered to discuss an alcohol management plan to lift the ban on Mornington Shire.
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Mornington Shire Council and residents have been under prohibition for about a decade and are seeking change for Far North Queensland.
Mornington Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Frank Mills, said in 2014 a strategy development plan was created and sent to the government of the day to be assessed.
“Today’s Government decided the strategy was too complex to be of any value to the community and a new strategy was to be formed,” Mr Mills said.
“This meeting was all about getting the community together and getting conversation happening about what they think should happen in terms of legalising alcohol and addressing local issues.”
Some of the issues that were addressed at the meeting included:
-The fact it doesn’t allow people to behave like they would in mainstream.
-The prevalence of home brew and the lack of control.
-Trying to attract more staff to Mornington Island.
-Lack of education for the younger generation who grew up through the prohibition.
The main cause of action that Mornington Shire Council is progressing with is to create a committee that can develop a new strategy.
“We have a new council and they are determined to have the prohibition lifted and bring about change,” Mr Mills said.
“Council and the justice group have been involved for a number of years and they are focused on making the Government take notice about the restrictions on Mornington Island.
“If we are trying to bring indigenous communities into the modern world then they need to play by the same rules as everyone else.”
If we are trying to bring indigenous communities into the modern world then they need to play by the same rules as everyone else.
- CEO, Frank Mills
Mornington Shire Council will officially formulate the committee at its next council meeting on October 24.