Shadow Racing and Gaming Minister Peter Rundle has called on the State Government to implement an enhanced Banned Drinkers Register (BDR), to address alcohol fuelled violence and dysfunction in regional communities.
Mr Rundle said an enhanced BDR would target problem drinkers who should then be referred to support and rehabilitation services and should be considered on a community-by-community basis.
“We have previously called for the implementation of the BDR program to help curb crime and anti-social behaviour which has been spiralling out-of-control right across the State,” Mr Rundle said.
“Since the McGowan Labor Government has been in power, we have seen an increase in alcohol-related issues in many regions including the Mid-West, Gascoyne, Pilbara, Kimberley and Goldfields.
“There was an initial trial of the BDR in some parts of the State but it was eventually pulled, so the McGowan Labor Government needs to learn from those challenges and improve the program.
“It is disappointing that people have had to needlessly suffer while the Opposition made repeated calls to the McGowan Labor Government to step up and introduce a BDR with supporting health and rehabilitation services, and properly support local police officers to make this program work.”
Mr Rundle said the ignorance of issues impacting regional West Australians was a hallmark of the McGowan Labor Government.
“This Premier and his Labor Ministers consider regional communities as out-of-sight, out-of-mind and it has never been more evident than their handling of the out-of-control crime crisis,” Mr Rundle said.
“The McGowan Labor Government needs to deliver a blueprint to help communities where violence is rife, and the implementation of an enhanced BDR, along with wrap around support, is one of the tools available to them.”
