BANNED DRINKERS REGISTER
TRIAL — PILBARA
34. Hon KEN BASTON to the minister representing the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I refer to the current banned
drinkers register trial currently underway in the Pilbara.
(1) When is the Pilbara banned
drinkers register trial expected to end?
(2) What key indicators will be
measured to assess the effectiveness of the trial?
(3) Will the
minister consider extending the trial into the Kimberley before the end of the
Pilbara trial period, as per a recommendation from the inquest into Kimberley
youth suicides?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The Minister for Racing and Gaming has provided the following
response.
(1)–(3) Members
in this place have shown a keen and genuine interest in pursuing the banned
drinkers register trial. The minister is appreciative of the member's
enthusiasm and hopes that it will continue. The trial is expected to commence
in the first half of this year.
The minister has advised that, based
on discussions and advice from the University of Western Australia's
Public Policy Institute, the trial is expected to take some 24 months. As part
of its role on the project, UWA will determine a robust evaluation framework,
including key indicators that will be measured in order to ascertain whether it
has been successful. These indicators are likely to be reached through
consultation with key stakeholders, including those located in the Pilbara in
key service organisations.
The coroner's findings in the
inquest into Kimberley youth suicides will be considered in detail over the
coming months to determine what action should be taken by regulators to address
the role that alcohol misuse has in youth suicide. The minister is mindful that
early introduction of any initiative that has not been proven effective or does
not include essential support services may be detrimental. However, this matter
will be assessed as part of a holistic approach to alcohol abuse.