Yesterday the Greens supported calls from the community to 'Turn Down the Tap' in Alice Springs to put in place truly effective measures to address the rivers of grog flowing through the town.

Alcohol-related social problems now cost the Australian community more than $7.6 Billion every year – including nearly $2 Billion through road accidents and another nearly $2 Billion in lost productivity.

"Nowhere is this problem more clearly highlighted than in the Northern Territory, which has by far the highest rates of per capita alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm for ALL its citizens," said Senator Siewert today.

Eighty percent of Territorians drink in a high risk manner, and the Territory scores the highest rates of alcohol-related harm across all measures." said Senator Siewert.

Addressing  the 'Turn Down the Tap' anti-grog rally in Alice Springs yesterday, Senator Siewert announced a series of practical measures to reduce the rivers of grog running through the town – including a levy on cheap take-away, reducing the number of outlets in the town, introducing take-away free days ('thirsty Thursdays' and Sundays) and more resources for rehabilitation.

"The Governments actions in the NT intervention has shown it is worried only about the tourism industry in the Northern Territory, rather than creating an effective alcohol management strategy that actually works," said Senator Siewert.

"The Greens are committed to turn down the tap on the rivers of grog that are killing our communities."