❓ Question regarding the social reasons for the alcohol ban in Halls Creek, with the Minister providing a detailed explanation of the devastating impacts of alcohol abuse on the community, particularly women and children, and the rationale behind the ban as a temporary measure.
AnsweredQoN 390Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HALLS CREEK — ALCOHOL BAN
Mr Speaker — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Members to my left may have some residue left over from the comments made by the Treasurer, but when another member is on his feet asking a question, that is not the time to reflect on some of those comments. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY : I note the Minister for Racing and Gaming’s brief ministerial statement on the reasons for the alcohol ban in Halls Creek. In light of this, will the minister please outline to the house the social reasons for this ban? Dr K.D. HAMES
Mr Speaker — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Members to my left may have some residue left over from the comments made by the Treasurer, but when another member is on his feet asking a question, that is not the time to reflect on some of those comments. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY : I note the Minister for Racing and Gaming’s brief ministerial statement on the reasons for the alcohol ban in Halls Creek. In light of this, will the minister please outline to the house the social reasons for this ban? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Members to my left may have some residue left over from the comments made by the Treasurer, but when another member is on his feet asking a question, that is not the time to reflect on some of those comments. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY : I note the Minister for Racing and Gaming’s brief ministerial statement on the reasons for the alcohol ban in Halls Creek. In light of this, will the minister please outline to the house the social reasons for this ban? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
The SPEAKER : Order! Members to my left may have some residue left over from the comments made by the Treasurer, but when another member is on his feet asking a question, that is not the time to reflect on some of those comments. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY : I note the Minister for Racing and Gaming’s brief ministerial statement on the reasons for the alcohol ban in Halls Creek. In light of this, will the minister please outline to the house the social reasons for this ban? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Mr I.C. BLAYNEY : I note the Minister for Racing and Gaming’s brief ministerial statement on the reasons for the alcohol ban in Halls Creek. In light of this, will the minister please outline to the house the social reasons for this ban? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Members to my left may have some residue left over from the comments made by the Treasurer, but when another member is on his feet asking a question, that is not the time to reflect on some of those comments. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY : I note the Minister for Racing and Gaming’s brief ministerial statement on the reasons for the alcohol ban in Halls Creek. In light of this, will the minister please outline to the house the social reasons for this ban? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
The SPEAKER : Order! Members to my left may have some residue left over from the comments made by the Treasurer, but when another member is on his feet asking a question, that is not the time to reflect on some of those comments. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY : I note the Minister for Racing and Gaming’s brief ministerial statement on the reasons for the alcohol ban in Halls Creek. In light of this, will the minister please outline to the house the social reasons for this ban? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Mr I.C. BLAYNEY : I note the Minister for Racing and Gaming’s brief ministerial statement on the reasons for the alcohol ban in Halls Creek. In light of this, will the minister please outline to the house the social reasons for this ban? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
I have to say that when the concept of alcohol restrictions currently in place at Fitzroy Crossing was suggested for Halls Creek, I was not terribly supportive. I was of the view, as I think some other people have indicated, that the problem would be transferred elsewhere—Aboriginal people would go to Kununurra, Derby or Broome for their alcohol, and the issue would spread to other towns. I felt that sufficient work was being done in Halls Creek to address the issue and that the idea did not have the strong Aboriginal support that it seemed to have in Fitzroy Crossing, where a strong group said that it wanted the restrictions. In Halls Creek, a petition was taken around and lots of Aboriginal people actually voted against restrictions. One thing subsequently changed my view. I visited Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing and talked to one of the doctors looking after patients in both communities. She told me something extremely important, which very quickly changed my mind. She talked about the change among patients in Fitzroy Crossing. There had been a huge reduction in the number of assaults, particularly on women and children; there had been a reduction in the number of laceration injuries she had to treat; and particularly, there had been a reduction in abuse of children. She then talked about what things were like in Halls Creek, and issues that she had had to deal with that day with patients in that town. There were huge incidences of assault on both men and women, but particularly on women. She said that when women came to the hospital at Halls Creek for treatment, she would have to suture a laceration that had resulted from a beating, and she would also have to admit the women’s children to the hospital; it was not safe for them to return to their own communities, because they were being sexually or physically abused in those communities. That is not the normal way for Aboriginal people. It is nothing to do with culture; it is all to do with alcohol. The doctor said that there was hardly a single 12-year-old girl in Halls Creek who had not been either sexually abused or had not voluntarily been used as a means of getting money for drugs or alcohol. Almost every 12-year-old girl in the town would have been in that situation. That is heart wrenching for anyone to hear, particularly when one has a child of one’s own. Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
The SPEAKER : Member! Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Dr K.D. HAMES : From my point of view, it was extremely important to listen to those views. I met with the Aboriginal people of the town, particularly with groups of Aboriginal women. With regard to the issue of people going to other communities to buy alcohol, the police in both Broome and Fitzroy Crossing, where bans had been enforced in the first place, said that it was not a major issue. It was an issue to start off with, but a lot of pressure had been put on those people to return to their towns. More importantly, those Aboriginal people said, “Look, you’ve just got to give us a break. We know this isn’t a long-term solution, and we know that you’ve got to do all those other things. You need to provide support for people getting off alcohol, social workers, better housing and jobs—all those issues need to be addressed, but for goodness’ sake, just give us a rest. This is destroying families and destroying communities.” Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Mr T.G. Stephens : Two towns, 35 to go. Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I know that the member feels passionately about this issue. Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Isn’t he right? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
Dr K.D. HAMES : No, he is not right, for two reasons: firstly, because most of the other smaller communities can become alcohol free through their own by-laws. I know that the Minister for Racing and Gaming is already addressing a number of requests from those smaller communities to increase their restrictions so that they become alcohol-free, as was done in Oombulgurri; that is progressing. The banning of alcohol is not a long-term solution, if there is a solution; everyone understands that. However, there are other measures that can be put in place, such as the card system that the minister has been exploring in Alice Springs to see whether it can be expanded into Western Australia. He is also looking at restrictions in other towns. That is not the minister’s responsibility, of course; it is Mr Barry Sargeant’s responsibility. I will say that his decision has the full support of this side of the house, not as a long-term solution, but as a means of providing a break for those women and kids whose lives are being totally destroyed by the alcohol problem that exists in that town.
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