Western Australia’s Director of Liquor Licensing, Duncan Ord, has revealed that previously imposed restrictions on packaged liquor purchases in the Kimberley will be reinstated today.
In an email to relevant parties, Ord said that the move comes in response to a number of submissions requesting the restrictions be reinstated and following consultation with the Commissioner of Police.
Ord said in the email: “This afternoon I will publish a notice under section 31 of the Liquor Control Act 1988 in the Government Gazette which imposes restrictions on the sale of packaged liquor across the Kimberley.
“The restrictions are being imposed to further support measures already taken by the government in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The restrictions mean that from 12.30pm today, licences in the Kimberley region will be subject to a condition that the licence does not authorise the sale of packaged liquor in excess of the following quantities per customer per day:
- 25 litres (one carton) of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits; or
- 25 litres (3 bottles) of wine; or
- 1 litre of spirits; or
- 1 litre of fortified wine; or
- a combination of any two of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above but not a combination of two of the same product.
These conditions will apply to hotel, hotel restricted, tavern, liquor store, producers, club, wholesaler (where the sale of liquor is to the general public) and special facility licences.
A number of exemptions will apply to sales to pastoralists, station owners and operators of remote work camps.
Ord added: “It is important to note that these restrictions are in addition to any other licence conditions and if there is a conflict or inconsistency between a condition imposed by the notice and any other condition, the more onerous condition prevails. This is particularly relevant in areas where section 64 liquor restrictions apply.
“Penalties apply for any licensee that breaches this condition.”
The CEO of Liquor Stores Association WA, Peter Peck, told TheShout: “We are currently asking the Department for the evidence and justification for these restrictions. It is no secret that the Kimberley is struggling under the border controls currently in place, these are unfortunately a fact of life for every business one way or another across the state.
“We understand that the application for a S 31 included a submission from the Kimberley Regional Council which represents the four local governments in the region.
“The Shire president of Broome is Harold Tracy, the President of the Broome liquor accord is Harold Tracey. It may be time for the local liquor accord to ask its President where he sat on this proposal.
“This is just another blow for a region which is has been rated as one of the top five places to visit in the world by the New York Times.”