LIQUOR RESTRICTIONS —
KIMBERLEY AND PILBARA
698. Hon KEN BASTON to the minister representing the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I refer to a post published by the
ABC Kimberley on 25 June 2019 regarding a delay in the introduction of liquor
restrictions in Broome.
(1) Does the 2019–20
budget include any funding to assist Kimberley and Pilbara communities to
implement liquor restrictions via the purchase and installation of takeaway
alcohol management scanning equipment; and, if yes, what funding is available;
and, if not, why not?
(2) Considering
that most takeaway liquor outlets in Kununurra already have scanning equipment
called the Takeaway Alcohol Management System—TAMS—has the minister
considered trialling a banned drinkers register in that location?
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN
replied:
I thank the member for the question. The following
information has been provided to me by the Minister for Racing and Gaming.
(1) Liquor
restrictions in areas of the state are either imposed by the Director of Liquor
Licensing, after consideration of evidence from stakeholders including police
and Health, or can be voluntary in the community.
The Pilbara-wide liquor restrictions were imposed by the director; however,
they remain subject to legal
proceedings. In the Kimberley, the minister is aware that Broome has developed
voluntary restrictions of its
own accord, for which the town should be commended. The Department of Local
Government, Sport and Cultural Industries does not provide funding for the
implementation of liquor restrictions.
(2) No. The
Pilbara region has been selected for a banned drinkers register trial,
primarily as part of the McGowan government's west Pilbara plan to
assist in reducing harm. In addition, its geographical distance from other
areas, potential for uniform liquor restrictions and the absence of competing
initiatives that may confuse the results, make the Pilbara an ideal trial site.
The state government will consider implementing a banned drinkers register in
other areas of the state if the trial proves to be successful or early
indications of outcomes are positive.