WA businesses across Kimberley region warn booze ban will kill tourism

A police push to limit takeaway alcohol sales to light beer across the Kimberley region could scare off tourists from visiting the picturesque destination, local business bosses warn. WA Police made an application to the Director of Liquor Licencing midway through last year which would mean full-strength beer, wine and spirits could only be bought at restaurants, pubs and other licensed venues. Tourism to Broome is worth more than $350 million to WA and Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Elaine Jolliffe said the move, which would affect towns from Broome to Kununurra, did not sound like a “good idea”. “We rely heavily on a drive-in, drive-out holiday tourism base,” she said. “Our population triples during a tourist season. I know a lot of them (tourists) don’t drink significantly heavy but it is really going to impede them on wanting to come to Broome or Kununurra if the restrictions are like that.” WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said the application had been made because of continuing concerns about harm stemming from excessive alcohol consumption in the Kimberley. Alcohol-related domestic assaults in the Kimberley are more than 13 times the State average. Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive Bradley Woods said a sledgehammer approach of “prohibition” would only incentivise black market booze running. “It’s very disappointing WA Police have given up fully utilising all the legal instruments available to them and are instead pushing for the prohibition pathway,” he said. “It is time for police to stop ignoring the policies of the WA Government and get behind their preferred approach of a banned drinkers register, which is supported by many in the community and has the co-operation of industry. “Police already have the power to use barring notices and combined with a banned drinkers register, targeted and effective results could be better achieved in reducing alcohol related harm.” A banned drinkers register will be tested in the Pilbara in the first quarter of the year. The trial has been delayed after a bid by police to impose blanket restrictions, which were intended to happen alongside the register, across the Pilbara was squashed in court. The restriction proposal from police came after a coronial inquest into the deaths of 13 young Aboriginal people — 12 by suicide — recommended takeaway restrictions be put in place across the region. Minister for Racing, Gaming and Liquor Paul Papalia said it was not a government issue.. “Liquor restrictions are determined by the Director of Liquor Licensing in a process completely independent of government.”