Permit system 'not about grog running'

The Federal Labor Goverment has argued permits should be kept in communities to prevent grog running, sexual abuse and dodgy art dealing by outsiders, but figures over the last 15 months show alcohol smuggling is largely an Indigenous problem.

The Senate is this week expected to debate legislation to reintroduce the permit system.

NLC chairman Wali Wunungmurra says grog running is a policing issue, not a permit issue.

"I am not interested in grog running, all I'm interested in (is) getting this permit system reinstated.

"The permit system that we would like to be reinstated is for the cultural survival of the Aboriginal people in the long run.

"[All we want] is to be able to look after the livelihood of the Aboriginal people. We want to keep it as it is.

"It's like keeping a private property, where nobody is allowed to come in and out.