New regulations give Western Australia Police Force officers the power to seize and dispose of illegal alcohol on the spot in an effort to stamp out ‘sly grogging’ in regional and remote communities.
The Police Force said the regulations, under a new section of the Liquor Control Act which limited the quantity and types of liquor that could be legally transported in a vehicle, had come into effect in the Kimberley.
It said the regulations aimed to reduce alcohol-related harm and crack down on those who preyed on the vulnerable by illegally selling large quantities of alcohol at inflated prices.
The Police Force said limits included: One carton of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits, or three bottles of wine, or one litre of spirits or fortified wine, or a combination of two products, per adult in the vehicle, per day.
It said vehicles that carried more than five passengers would be permitted to carry only quantities of alcohol for five people and police would have the discretion when they stopped and searched a vehicle to immediately dispose of illegal alcohol.
The Police Force said anyone found to be in breach of these regulations faced a maximum fine of $10,000.
Minister for Racing and Gaming, Reece Whitby said exemptions would apply to tourists, pastoralists, station owners and operators of remote work sites.
“We have consulted widely with liquor industry associations and public health bodies, in developing the legislative amendments,” Mr Whitby said.
“Sly grogging is a significant issue in regional and remote communities, and these regulations are just one way we are tackling alcohol-related harm.”
