❓ Mr. Norberger asks the Minister for Racing and Gaming for an update on the review of the Liquor Control Act 1988. The Minister outlines the review process, stakeholder consultation, and the intention to bring recommendations to cabinet and then a bill before Parliament.
AnsweredQoN 163Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LIQUOR CONTROL ACT 1988 — REVIEW
163. Mr J. NORBERGER to the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I am aware that the independent committee reviewing the
Liquor Control Act handed its report to the minister in January this year.
Could the minister please update the house on the report and the process he is
following to respond to its recommendations?
163. Mr J. NORBERGER to the
Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I am aware that the independent committee reviewing the
Liquor Control Act handed its report to the minister in January this year.
Could the minister please update the house on the report and the process he is
following to respond to its recommendations?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Joondalup for his question. Just
before I answer the question, I will, on behalf of the Parliament, wish the
Western Australian state cricket team all the best for its first Sheffield
Shield final for many years, starting in Canberra on Friday. I wish Justin and
the boys all the best.
Again, I thank the member for the question. Obviously, I am
pleased to report to the house that the review of the Liquor Control Act has
been completed, as everyone knows. It was handed to me on 14 January personally
by the review chair, Mr John Atkins. The response from industry and from
stakeholders in the broader community was quite enormous. We had a total, I
think, of 149 submissions. Therefore, it was a big process. Addressing that
level of interest was not an easy task; it required a lot of time, a lot of
meetings and much consultation by the committee. I just want to place on the
record the government's appreciation for the terrific job done by
review chair, John Atkins, and his fellow committee members, Nicole Roocke and
Ian Stanley. They were ably assisted by Donna Kennedy, who is the executive
officer. The last time the Liquor Control Act underwent a similar review was
with the Freemantle report back in 2005 that led to some significant changes to
the Liquor Control Act in 2007. The issue of alcohol in the community is always
a very hot topic. There is always considerable community interest in the way we
supply and consume liquor and also in the operation and the effectiveness of
the Liquor Control Act itself. That is why I appointed the independent
committee to undertake this review. It is a very thorough document. There are
266 pages containing 141 recommendations. I promised before we undertook the
review that once the review was done and the recommendations were public, I
would meet and consult with the key stakeholders to give them the opportunity
to comment on those recommendations directly to me.
Several members interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : No. I am currently doing it! I have done probably
three-quarters of them already. I am listening to their comments. In fact, it
has been a really good exercise and I think it is a sensible way to go.
Several members interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : They made comments leading up to the report, but once we know
those recommendations, it is pertinent that the government be properly informed
in order to discuss those recommendations with the relevant people. I will also
obviously be consult with the relevant ministers and the Premier and, following
that consultation, I will bring recommendations to cabinet, which ultimately
will result in a bill before Parliament. I will make one thing very clear:
alcohol is a polarising issue in our community. It is not possible to please
everyone. However, as I have said many times —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Sorry, just sit down, please. Member for Mirrabooka, I call you to
order for the first time.
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
As I think I have said many times in Parliament, there is a need for balance
when dealing with alcohol issues. The aim of this government will be to try to
achieve the right balance.
before I answer the question, I will, on behalf of the Parliament, wish the
Western Australian state cricket team all the best for its first Sheffield
Shield final for many years, starting in Canberra on Friday. I wish Justin and
the boys all the best.
Again, I thank the member for the question. Obviously, I am
pleased to report to the house that the review of the Liquor Control Act has
been completed, as everyone knows. It was handed to me on 14 January personally
by the review chair, Mr John Atkins. The response from industry and from
stakeholders in the broader community was quite enormous. We had a total, I
think, of 149 submissions. Therefore, it was a big process. Addressing that
level of interest was not an easy task; it required a lot of time, a lot of
meetings and much consultation by the committee. I just want to place on the
record the government's appreciation for the terrific job done by
review chair, John Atkins, and his fellow committee members, Nicole Roocke and
Ian Stanley. They were ably assisted by Donna Kennedy, who is the executive
officer. The last time the Liquor Control Act underwent a similar review was
with the Freemantle report back in 2005 that led to some significant changes to
the Liquor Control Act in 2007. The issue of alcohol in the community is always
a very hot topic. There is always considerable community interest in the way we
supply and consume liquor and also in the operation and the effectiveness of
the Liquor Control Act itself. That is why I appointed the independent
committee to undertake this review. It is a very thorough document. There are
266 pages containing 141 recommendations. I promised before we undertook the
review that once the review was done and the recommendations were public, I
would meet and consult with the key stakeholders to give them the opportunity
to comment on those recommendations directly to me.
Several members interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : No. I am currently doing it! I have done probably
three-quarters of them already. I am listening to their comments. In fact, it
has been a really good exercise and I think it is a sensible way to go.
Several members interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : They made comments leading up to the report, but once we know
those recommendations, it is pertinent that the government be properly informed
in order to discuss those recommendations with the relevant people. I will also
obviously be consult with the relevant ministers and the Premier and, following
that consultation, I will bring recommendations to cabinet, which ultimately
will result in a bill before Parliament. I will make one thing very clear:
alcohol is a polarising issue in our community. It is not possible to please
everyone. However, as I have said many times —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Sorry, just sit down, please. Member for Mirrabooka, I call you to
order for the first time.
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
As I think I have said many times in Parliament, there is a need for balance
when dealing with alcohol issues. The aim of this government will be to try to
achieve the right balance.
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