In 1964, with the passing of a new Social Welfare Ordinance and amendments to the Licensing Ordinance, Aborigines in the Northern Territory became entitled to the same rights in respect to liquor as other Australians. At least, they did in theory. In reality, Aborigines living on reserves or mission leases - the forerunners of today's Aboriginal communities - continued to be subjected to close Government control through
the provisions of the Licensing Ordinance, under which the taking of liquor onto a reserve or mission lease was
prohibited without prior approval from the Welfare Officer in charge.