The West Australian Government has confirmed a banned drinkers register planned for the Kimberley will roll out across the region mid-year.
Scanning technology will be installed at every bottle shop in the region to identify people who have been banned by police or the courts from buying alcohol, as a part of separate two-year trials in the Pilbara and the Kimberley.
There were initially plans to roll out the banned drinkers register in the Pilbara and the Kimberley simultaneously, but equipment delays and funding uncertainty saw plans for the Kimberley delayed and the Pilbara kick off its trial on December 1.
Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said issues with the Kimberley's system had since been ironed out, and it would roll out officially across the region on May 1.
Mr Papalia said the implementation of the register in the Kimberley had been a long time coming and was the result of years of lobbying from the region's shire councils.
"I'm very optimistic that this will make a difference," he said.
People can be signed up to the register through a prohibition order handed down by the Director of Liquor Licensing, a barring notice from the WA Police Commissioner, or through voluntarily signing up.
The register will operate across the Kimberley and will be accessible by all local bottle shops when patrons scan their ID before purchase.
There are 18 people on the banned list in the Kimberley, and police expect the number to rise as the register comes into effect.
The results of the trial will be independently assessed and reported on by the UWA Public Policy Institute, who will hand over findings to the State Government for assessment.
Speaking on behalf of the four Kimberley shires, Kimberley Zone chairman Chris Mitchell said it was hoped the implementation of the register would stop those from liquor-restricted towns like Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing from travelling to Broome or Derby to access alcohol.
"With the banned drinkers register, all the agencies involved will be able to target the people addicted to alcohol, reduce the amount of harm that's being caused, and make the Pilbara and Kimberley regions safer places to live," he said.
Years in the making
Community leaders have long lobbied for the introduction of the register, calling for a targeted approach aimed at problem drinkers rather than blanket restrictions for the entire region.
Liquor Stores Association WA president Peter Peck said the new system could spell the end of a patchwork of liquor legislation throughout the Kimberley.
"This is a game changer, so instead of constantly having the same tools in the toolbox — which is restrict, restrict, restrict — and that doesn't work, [so] we're trying something different," he said.
"If the problem reduces dramatically, or if there is no problem, then there will be no need for restrictions.
"That's optimistic but, at the end of the day, it's got to move us towards that in some way."
The State Government said it would be offering information and training to liquor retailers in the coming months about the operation of the system to ensure a smooth transition.
