Local member renews calls for banned drinkers register rollout in Carnarvon, sparking mixed reactions

Calls are intensifying for Carnarvon and the Gascoyne to be next on the list for a banned drinkers register following the introduction of the scheme in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Goldfields. North West Central MP Vince Catania is leading the charge, accusing the McGowan Government of being “out of touch” with the extent of alcohol-related problems happening in Carnarvon and other North West communities. “Surely the BDR designed to reduce alcohol-related harm and associated issues would help and should be implemented across towns in need as soon as possible?,” he said. “Penalising whole communities with rolling liquor restrictions, impacting everyone, including visitors to towns as a result of the irresponsible actions of those choosing to abuse alcohol, needs to change.” The Carnarvon community is dealing with a crime wave, some of which involve gangs of youths, which has some locals too scared to walk the streets at night. Late last year, a community petition was sent to the State Government calling on them to take action against local crime problems. But Carnarvon Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation manager Leslie Cook has his doubts a banned drinkers register will reduce problem-drinkers’ access to alcohol. Mr Cook said he did not agree that Carnarvon suffered from drinking problems as significantly as other regional towns with the BDR. “People that are bad drinkers are going to get (alcohol) regardless. They can get it from their friends, that already happens,” he said. “There aren’t people out drinking on the streets here, no one is really bothered that I’ve noticed.” Mr Cook said there were more proactive opportunities to tackle alcohol-related harm in the community. “We’re working on programs to get the young boys away from alcohol and do outdoor activities such as fishing and talking among each other,” Mr Cook said. Meanwhile, owner of Al’s Liquor Store in Carnarvon Nathan Condo said he supported the push for a BDR over current on-off liquor restrictions. “Over the last 10 weeks, we’ve had six liquor restrictions put on us. It’s impacted the running of my business, from the amount of backlash I’ve copped from the local community to the abuse my staff have received over it,” he said. “Between that (liquor restrictions) and COVID, we have to do something in this town, because this is just beyond a joke. “With the liquor restrictions we have at the moment, people are actually just bringing alcohol up from Geraldton. You can see it coming in pallets at a time and for what it’s doing to my business, I think a banned drinkers register would be a lot more effective than the tools that they’re using at the moment.” Under the most recent liquor restrictions imposed from March 10 to 12, takeaway sales were limited to one carton per customer of mid-strength beer or one bottle of premium wine per customer. The takeaway sale of bottled spirits, full strength pre-mixed drinks, full strength beer (single, six pack or carton), cask wine and fortified wine was banned. Carnarvon Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Paul Dixon said particular individuals who have drinking issues needed to be managed and a BDR was a progressive way to ensure that could happen. “There are certain people who have drinking issues and it’s important we take steps to manage these individuals for our community and visitors,” he said. Mr Dixon said he was not against alcohol restrictions as they helped manage problem drinkers, but they could also have consequences for businesses and purchases for large events such as funerals. “It’s important that the chamber — and I’m assuming along with the Shire — are not against having these alcohol restrictions over the weekends as a necessary management tool. Another managing tool would be this alcohol register,” Mr Dixon said. Mid West Gascoyne Police Superintendent Roger Beer said he would need to be convinced of the effectiveness of the scheme in other districts before he decided whether the Gascoyne could benefit from one. “A banned drinkers register targets particular people who behave badly when drinking alcohol,” Supt Beer said. He said he was not an advocate of alcohol bans as a whole, and would consider alcohol restrictions in respect to the safety of the Carnarvon community. The Kimberley Echo reported the State Government was open to changes to its BDR because of complaints from several Shire leaders over its ineffectiveness. It reported there was a push for changes to the trial to make it easier for local police and courts to place problem drinkers on the register. Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley deputy president Tony Chafer said it was “near impossible” for police and courts to add people to the system, with just 52 people barred from buying alcohol across the Kimberley since the start of the trial in May last year. Racing and Gaming Minister Tony Buti would not confirm if Carnarvon was being considered for the BDR trial, but said the State Government was “constantly monitoring” the program. “We are constantly monitoring the program and taking feedback to see how we can improve the banned drinkers register as the trial continues,” he said. “The objective of the initiative is to provide a targeted response to alcohol abuse through controlling access to takeaway liquor.”