A dry argument for a great culture

Are we seriously asked to believe that people will not postpone libation for an hour's stunning sunset contemplation? Even when they are only 20 minutes from wining and dining at the resort? Or knocking down a stubby or three as the guitar player cranks out Khe Sanh at the backpackers?

I reckon the lobby groups are selling their clients short. I just don't believe that visitors are so desperate for a drink that they would deny themselves the magnificence of Uluru.

I believe that most would be happy to briefly forgo the booze as an act of respect for a great culture.

Right next door to Uluru lies the often-demonised Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu. Some of the residents here - just like some residents in any Australian community - fight a battle with the grog. But few other Australians have been as brutalised as the residents of remote communities like Mutitjulu.

Where the world is as bleak as this, grog and ganja are in demand. Not just on the occasional Saturday night, but as a daily opiate to help dull the misery. Here in the Centre, grog is part of the “lifestyle” for white and black alike. Alice Springs Town Council recently voted against investigating the possibility of a “dry day”.

Under this proposal, the sales of take-away grog - but not drinking in pubs or clubs - would be restricted.

Incredibly the aldermen couldn't bring themselves to vote in favour of collecting the information which might help them make a thoughtful decision. Narrow-mindedness on this scale boggles the mind.

To hear Pat Anderson speak passionately about the damage grog is doing to Indigenous communities is to know that something serious must be done. Now. If this happens to involve some minor inconvenience for tourists then that's just tough luck.

For goodness sake Minister Brough, your political career is just about to go down the chute, along with that of all your front-bench colleagues.

Stand up and do something brave.