Frequently asked questions
Listed below are answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) around MCMC.
- What is MCMC?
- When was MCMC launched?
- What is the difference between a Restricted Area and a Dry Place?
- Where can I obtain a copy of the Meeting Challenges, Making Choices document?
- How will MCMC affect me?
- What are Government Champions?
- What are Canteens?
- What are Community Liquor Licence Boards?
- What are Alcohol Restrictions?
- What are Dry Areas?
- Which Communities are affected?
- Who can I contact for more information?
- What are Alcohol Management Plans?
An FAQ fact sheet is also available to download.
What is MCMC?
MCMC or Meeting Challenges, Making Choices, is the Queensland Government’s response to the Cape York Justice Study. For more information on the history of MCMC see our background page.
When was MCMC launched?
MCMC was launched in April 2002 with the publication of the Meeting Challenges, Making Choices document.
What is the difference between a Restricted Area and a Dry Place?
Under the Liquor Act 1992, Community Justice Groups can make recommendations to the Minister responsible for that Act regarding alcohol limits for their respective community areas. Restrictions may include limits on the amount and type of alcohol that can be brought into the area, or conditions for licensed premises in the area. The proposed restrictions are processed through Government to ensure they are practicable and consistent with wider Government policy and law. The proposal is then processed through Cabinet and the resulting regulations are declared by the Minister responsible for the Liquor Act. At this point, Restricted Area conditions can be enforced by State Police and Liquor Licensing Officers.
Under the Community Services Legislation Amendment Act 2002, Community Justice Groups in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Council Areas, plus the Mornington Island and Aurukun Shires, have the legal power to declare public areas within their respective communities ‘Dry Places’. In Dry Places, there can be no possession of alcohol and it is an offence to be intoxicated by alcohol. The Justice Group must be officially regulated under the Act to use these powers. The Community Services Act is administered through the Minister responsible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy.
Traditional Owners and residents can apply to the Justice Group to make their private land or homes Dry Places. The Community Council for the area or the chief executive of a government department can also request the Community Justice Group make a declaration for a dry place.
The Community Services Act prescribes the process to declare a dry place. This includes giving notice of the proposal to declare a dry place, the right of objections and giving notice of the declaration. At least 14 days notice of the proposal must be given. There must be prominent advertising of the proposal, identifying the area in the notice using descriptions and maps, advising of the objection process and, when the dry place is declared, notice of that declaration.
The Community Justice Group has the right to suspend, amend or revoke a declaration.
Declaration of a dry place overrules other Restricted Area conditions for that place. However, a zero limit Restricted Area condition overrides the need for the declaration of Dry Places. Many communities will have both restricted area conditions and Dry Places.
Where can I obtain a copy of the Meeting Challenges, Making Choices document?
Copies of the Meeting Challenges, Making Choices document can be downloaded from this website through the policy page or alternatively hard copies of this document can be obtained by contacting the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy (DATSIP).
How will MCMC affect me?
MCMC will implement several key initiatives over the next two years, affecting those living in or planning to visit Indigenous communities. For the latest information on MCMC initiatives visit the news and events page.
What are Government Champions?
Communities have been offered the opportunity to work with a Director-General from a state government department, called a ‘Government Champion’. If a community needs high-level support they can work with their nominated ‘Champion’ to achieve community goals.
For more information on Government Champions download the fact sheet.
What are Canteens?
Canteens are buildings where the sale of alcohol is permitted in Indigenous communities. Not all communities have Canteens, however, those that do will be affected by new legislation that will enable the Government to establish a Community Liquor Licence Board to take over the canteen.
What are Community Liquor Licence Boards?
Boards are set up to run canteens in Indigenous Communities. Boards are required to follow recommendations from the Community Justice Group in their community.
For more information on Community Liquor Licence Boards download the fact sheet.
What are Alcohol Restrictions?
For information about alcohol restrictions see our alcohol restrictions page or download the Fact Sheet.
What are Dry Areas?
Dry areas are areas where a person cannot drink, carry alcohol or be drunk. An offence is committed if a person does any of these things in a dry place.
For more information on Dry Areas download the fact sheet.
Which Communities are affected?
To see which communities are affected go to our search by community page.
Who can I contact to find out more information?
For more information on MCMC see our contact us page.
What are Alcohol Management Plans?
Alcohol management plans are being developed by Community Justice Groups for each community. An alcohol management plan contains recommendations about how to reduce alcohol-related crime and violence in the community. In developing their Alcohol management plans, a Community Justice Group considers questions such as:
- Should the community be dry?
- Should drinking happen only in the canteen?
- How much and what type of alcohol can be brought into the community?
- When should the canteen be open?
- How many takeaways should be allowed?
- How can sly grogging be stopped?
An Alcohol management plan may contain a recommendation for declaring all or part of a community area a Restricted Area or a Dry Place.
A Dry Place is a place where a person cannot drink, carry alcohol or be drunk. An offence is committed if a person does any of these things in a Dry Place.
A Community Justice Group can declare any place in their community to be “dry” except private places such as houses and traditional owners’ out-stations. (These can only be declared dry at the occupier’s request.) A Community Justice Group must give notice and call for submissions and objections before it can declare a Dry Place.
A restricted area restricts the carriage of alcohol within the area. When a Restricted Area is declared by law, a limit is set on the type and quantity of liquor that can be carried within the restricted area. There may be a zero limit, prohibiting the carriage of any liquor in the Restricted Area, or alternatively, a carriage limit may be set specifying the amount and type of liquor which may be carried in the Restricted Area.
To view a summary of each community's alcohol restrictions please visit the search by community page and select a community from the map (by location) or dropdown list (by name).
This site has a range of resources regarding alcohol management plans. If you would like to provide feedback on alcohol management plans, please email: ampfeedback@datsip.qld.gov.au
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