❓ Mrs. Hayden questions the Premier on the impact of unrestricted interstate alcohol supply on the WA government's COVID-19 alcohol restrictions. The Premier acknowledges the difficulty in controlling interstate trade and defends the government's actions as the best possible in a challenging situation.
AnsweredQoN 7Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
STRONG ALCOHOL PURCHASE RESTRICTIONS
7. Mrs A.K. HAYDEN to the Premier:
On 25 and 27 March, the government introduced temporary
restrictions on takeaway alcohol across the state. Within one hour, WA
witnessed a massive sales campaign from eastern states' alcohol
suppliers. How does the unlimited supply of liquor from the eastern states
impact on the intent of the government's alcohol restrictions ''to
ensure Western Australia is well prepared to respond to COVID-19 and minimise
alcohol-related problems in the community''?
STRONG ALCOHOL PURCHASE RESTRICTIONS
7. Mrs A.K. HAYDEN to the Premier:
On 25 and 27 March, the government introduced temporary
restrictions on takeaway alcohol across the state. Within one hour, WA
witnessed a massive sales campaign from eastern states' alcohol
suppliers. How does the unlimited supply of liquor from the eastern states
impact on the intent of the government's alcohol restrictions ''to
ensure Western Australia is well prepared to respond to COVID-19 and minimise
alcohol-related problems in the community''?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. It is a good point. It
is very difficult—in fact, impossible—to control trade between
the states. It is a difficult issue to resolve. We have done our best to restrict
the overwhelming number of people who purchase alcohol to ensure that they
purchase responsibly. What we saw in the supermarkets over the last month was
very unseemly, unnecessary and inappropriate, and we did not want to see the
same thing happening in our bottle shops. I think we struck the right balance.
We ensured that there was enough for everyone, if you like, and also that there
were not those massive runs on bottle shops that we saw in supermarkets. Is our
solution perfect? No, it is probably not perfect, but we have done our best in
a difficult situation.
is very difficult—in fact, impossible—to control trade between
the states. It is a difficult issue to resolve. We have done our best to restrict
the overwhelming number of people who purchase alcohol to ensure that they
purchase responsibly. What we saw in the supermarkets over the last month was
very unseemly, unnecessary and inappropriate, and we did not want to see the
same thing happening in our bottle shops. I think we struck the right balance.
We ensured that there was enough for everyone, if you like, and also that there
were not those massive runs on bottle shops that we saw in supermarkets. Is our
solution perfect? No, it is probably not perfect, but we have done our best in
a difficult situation.
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