ALICE Springs residents may soon have to use electronic photo ID swipe cards to purchase takeaway alcohol.
This is despite government claims a similar permit system would not be practical for Darwin or Alice Springs.
It follows the introduction of tighter laws on the sale of takeaway wine casks earlier this month.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Paul White said an ID system is one idea a taskforce in Alice Springs is looking at to properly regulate the sale of alcohol. But he said it would be different to the permit system that is already in place in Groote Eylandt.
They're not looking at a permit system, but rather a way in which they may be able to properly regulate the sale of alcohol, he said.
Mr White said an ID system, where a photo ID is shown, can be scanned and show the buyer's history, would be ideal.
He said it followed the introduction of new liquor laws in the town.
Under the new laws, which came into force this month, four and five litre wine casks are banned and the sale of 2L casks is limited to 6pm to 9pm.
A one item per-person-per-day rule also applies for casks and port. We would like this to be assisted by some sort of system where you had to produce some sort of ID, Mr White said.
They want to look at ways of keeping the system honest.
Commander of Alice Springs Mark Coffey said it was difficult for police to control the sale of alcohol under the current system.
People can go to one place and buy wine and then go to another and purchase more wine and we don't know about it, Mr Coffey said.
We haven't decided whether we are going to go ahead with it yet, but I think it is definitely worth looking at.
It would certainly assist us and licensed premises to ensure that the new liquor laws were not being breached.
Mr Coffey also added that nothing would go ahead without support from the broader community.
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