❓ Dr. Walker questions the Minister for Racing and Gaming about alcohol restrictions in WA Indigenous communities, drawing comparisons to the Northern Territory's approach of localised votes. The response details current restrictions, consultation processes, and explains why WA doesn't mirror the NT's voting system.
AnsweredQoN 112Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES — ALCOHOL RESTRICTIONS
112. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I refer the minister to recent
announcements by the Northern Territory government that it intends to hold
localised votes in its remote communities to ascertain the level of support for
alcohol restrictions going forward.
(1) What restrictions
are currently in place in parts of WA to restrict access to alcohol in
predominantly Indigenous communities?
(2) What
consultation was undertaken before those restrictions were put in place, and
what consultation, if any, has occurred since?
(3) Does the McGowan government intend to mirror the
actions of our Northern Territory neighbours and allow remote WA
communities to vote on any future restrictions; and, if not, why not?
112. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I refer the minister to recent
announcements by the Northern Territory government that it intends to hold
localised votes in its remote communities to ascertain the level of support for
alcohol restrictions going forward.
(1) What restrictions
are currently in place in parts of WA to restrict access to alcohol in
predominantly Indigenous communities?
(2) What
consultation was undertaken before those restrictions were put in place, and
what consultation, if any, has occurred since?
(3) Does the McGowan government intend to mirror the
actions of our Northern Territory neighbours and allow remote WA
communities to vote on any future restrictions; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Racing and Gaming, I
provide the following answer.
(1) The Liquor
Control Act 1988 provides for Aboriginal communities to request that their
local community be declared a dry community
under section 175, which prohibits the supply, sale and consumption of a lcohol
within a specified area. The community applies for the restriction, and the
decision is at the discretion of the minister.
There
are currently 26 section 175 communities across the Pilbara, Kimberley and
goldfields regions of WA. Further liquor restrictions have also been
applied to communities within the Kimberley, Pilbara and goldfields under
section 64 of the act.
(2) In the first
instance, the community must request a section 175 to impose a dry area. Once
the request is received, consultation is undertaken with the local government,
local WA police, and any relevant prescribed body corporates, Aboriginal
organisations and community elders. Ultimately, the Aboriginal corporation with
authority over the jurisdiction must provide a majority agreement that the
section 175 be implemented, and stipulate the time period for review. The
minister makes a decision based on the evidence presented demonstrating the
preference of the community.
(3) Dry communities under section
175 are already initiated at the community's request.
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Racing and Gaming, I
provide the following answer.
(1) The Liquor
Control Act 1988 provides for Aboriginal communities to request that their
local community be declared a dry community
under section 175, which prohibits the supply, sale and consumption of a lcohol
within a specified area. The community applies for the restriction, and the
decision is at the discretion of the minister.
There
are currently 26 section 175 communities across the Pilbara, Kimberley and
goldfields regions of WA. Further liquor restrictions have also been
applied to communities within the Kimberley, Pilbara and goldfields under
section 64 of the act.
(2) In the first
instance, the community must request a section 175 to impose a dry area. Once
the request is received, consultation is undertaken with the local government,
local WA police, and any relevant prescribed body corporates, Aboriginal
organisations and community elders. Ultimately, the Aboriginal corporation with
authority over the jurisdiction must provide a majority agreement that the
section 175 be implemented, and stipulate the time period for review. The
minister makes a decision based on the evidence presented demonstrating the
preference of the community.
(3) Dry communities under section
175 are already initiated at the community's request.
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