The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has launched a Banned Drinkers Register (BDR) trial in the Kimberley.
The move follows the success of an initial rollout in the Pilbara.
The initiative aims to reduce antisocial behaviour in Broome and Derby by restricting banned drinkers’ access to takeaway alcohol.
Minister for Racing and Gaming, Reece Whitby said the two-year trial would investigate whether the measure could add to wider efforts to tackle alcohol-related harm.
“The BDR technology is supplied by Western Australian company, Scantek,” Mr Whitby said.
“It allows businesses to scan customers’ identification, giving them a real-time tool to identify those who cannot legally be sold alcohol,” he said.
“The trial will combine the BDR with a Takeaway Alcohol Management System (TAMS), which limits the volume of alcohol a customer can purchase in a day.”
The Minister said customer information would remain confidential and no records would be kept about the purchaser, what they purchased, or if they were refused.
“This trial specifically targets problem drinkers who break the law when using alcohol,” he said.
“The successful rollout of this trial in the Pilbara is encouraging, and I hope to see the same success in the Kimberley as it expands throughout the region and the community stands up against antisocial behaviour,” Mr Whitby said.
