The Liquor Stores Association of Western Australia has strongly supported calls for wrap around services associated with the Banned Drinkers Register (BDR) to be overhauled to ensure alcohol related harm is better managed across the state.
Deloitte Access Economics has found that Western Australia’s BDR shows promise as part of a broader, long-term strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm, but requires stronger enforcement mechanisms and wraparound health and support services to achieve sustained community impact.
The evaluation assessed the effectiveness of harm minimisation tools—particularly the BDR—across key regions known as Banned Drinker Areas (BDAs), including the Pilbara, Kimberley, Goldfields, and Carnarvon/Gascoyne.
Association Chief Executive Peter Peck said the focus on wrap around supports is vital if any type of harm minimisation is to be successful.
“It’s been like ground hog day for the past few years – I’ve always said to fix the people you need to target your resources on health and mental health services.”
“I’m glad this report has urged the Health Department and the Mental Health Commission to take an active lead.
“This isn’t a shiny vanity project this needs to be life changing” Mr Peck stressed.
“Anecdotally we’ve known what we’ve needed to make this work- now it’s in black and white, there are no more excuses.
“Let’s just get the job done” he added.
Deloitte’s independent report strongly recommends that to maximise the BDR’s long-term effectiveness, a whole-of-government response is necessary. This includes:
- Expanding culturally competent and accessible treatment and rehabilitation services.
- Increasing enforcement capabilities for WA Police to reduce secondary supply.
- Investing in education campaigns to increase community understanding of the BDR’s intent and functionality.
Mr Peck said while the BDR alone cannot solve WA’s complex alcohol-related harm issues, the groundwork must be laid now to ensure healthier and safer communities into the future which should be the main goal for everybody.