Peak bodies laud Banned Drinkers Register amendments to tackle alcohol-related harm in regional communities

The Liquor Stores Association of WA has applauded amendments to legislation that empower local courts and specialised frontline personnel to include individuals adversely affected by alcohol on the Banned Drinkers Register. Introduced initially in December 2020 in the Pilbara, the BDR has since been expanded to the Kimberley, Goldfields, and more recently, Carnarvon and the Gascoyne Junction. The recent legislative changes, which were passed on November 7, extend the register’s scope beyond just licensed premises. Under the new provisions, licensees and their staff are now required to scan the ID of customers before allowing any purchase of takeaway alcohol. Transactions are prohibited if no photo ID is presented, reinforcing a strict check on alcohol sales. In a statement, the Liquor Stores Association said they were “particularly pleased” with the widened criteria of the register, which will see individuals placed on the register for alcohol-related violence and drink-driving. Health professionals and specialised frontline workers will also now have the authority to refer individuals for inclusion. LSA WA chief executive Peter Peck said the legislation was a positive move for communities across the State. “It means the potential of domestic violence cases linked to alcohol abuse can be reduced. As a result, families and victims should feel safer,” he said. He said the timing of the legislative changes would serve as an effective tool against alcohol abuse in numerous regional communities, especially in the lead-up to the Christmas holiday season. The legislation has been a long time coming for stakeholders, with Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive Bradley Woods saying it should also allow an easing of blanket restrictions on alcohol. “The AHA has supported the BDR for almost two decades and those licensees tasked with implementing it each day will warmly welcome improvements that will enhance it,” he said. “These enhancements remove restrictions that have prevented Police and others from placing recidivist offenders and known problem drinkers on the BDR. “Securing these latest improvements to enhance the effectiveness of the BDR is a far better policy approach than imposing blanket community-wide alcohol restrictions on all law-abiding citizens.”