Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service: Doctors refuse to refer patients to the Banned Drinkers Register

The Cook Government is experiencing community pushback against the revamped Banned Drinkers Register with a health service refusing to refer patients and bottle shops rejecting requests to hand out alcohol counselling brochures. The Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service said its clinics will not be referring patients against their will to the BDR - because it breached the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. Meanwhile Liquor Store Association WA said its members won’t be handing out alcohol counselling brochures to customers who come up on the Banned Drinkers Register because they did not want workers, “to be punched in the face.” Laws for a tougher BDR passed WA Parliament in December which gave police, medical practitioners and social workers the powers to bar problem drinkers from buying takeaway alcohol for between three and 12 months. The new laws made it compulsory for every takeaway liquor outlet in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction to check each customer’s ID to ensure they are not on the BDR. In most regions police have been exercising their new powers frequently with the latest figures revealing they have put 538 people on the BDR who have committed an alcohol-related offence. However, there is not been a single referral to the BDR from medical practitioners or social workers. KAMS said in a statement that they stood against the push for more liquor restrictions without simultaneous investment in comprehensive alcohol and other drugs (AOD) services, planning and infrastructure. “We recognise the devastating impact of alcohol but believe that simply increasing restrictions is not the answer. We do not oppose restrictions, but emphasise the need for a holistic approach, combining health, social, and diversionary strategies to support community-led responses to alcohol-related harm within the region. Without adequate support, increased restrictions could unintentionally harm individuals and communities, potentially leading to punitive outcomes rather than health improvements. The lack of a regional plan for alcohol and drug misuse, combined with insufficient resources for tackling related issues like family and domestic violence, demands urgent government action. “The introduction of the BDR Bill 2023, allowing medical officers and social workers to recommend individuals to the BDR, has proceeded without proper consultation with our sector, and particularly our medical staff. Our senior medical officers uphold the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights – they respect patient autonomy and the integrity of our comprehensive primary health care clinics as safe spaces, and our clinics will not be referring patients to the BDR. They may however support patients who choose to self-refer. Meanwhile independent bottle shop owners - who supported the introduction of the revamped BDR - are also pushing back against its rollout. Liquor Store Association of WA (LSAWA) president Peter Peck said he had advised members not to hand out the alcohol counselling brochures the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries was providing them for their customers who had been “red-flagged.” “We may as well wear t-shirts saying punch me in the face,” he said. “I’m advising my members not to do that in their shops for fear of the repercussions,” he said Latest figures released by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries show 777 people have been placed on the BDR since it was introduced on December 14. Most were placed on the register by police however others were the subject of prohibition orders, barring notices or referred themselves. The Kimberley has the highest number of people on the BDR with 343 As the number of people on the BDR has quickly risen there have been more sightings in the Kimberley of drinkers consuming hand sanitiser to alleviate their addiction. The Broome Advertiser interviewed one woman who had already received two Banned Drinkers Orders that said she and others on the register were drinking hand sanitiser or methylated spirits. Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said alcohol-related harm was a “scourge” on communities. “A broad range of alcohol and other drug support services are on offer throughout the Kimberley,” he said. “We know that there is no silver bullet when it comes to reducing alcohol-related harm, which is why we are working across portfolios on a suite of strategies.”