Wunan calls for reduction in take away alcohol limit
16 December 2016
Wunan Foundation has made a formal submission to the Director of Liquor Licensing WA and written to the Premier Colin Barnett requesting a halving of the daily takeaway alcohol limit in Kununurra and Wyndham.
In collaboration with local frontline agencies – including WACHS, Kununurra Police, St John Ambulance, Youth Justice Services and the Department of Child Protection & Family Support – Wunan has produced a research report proving the link between daily high levels of alcohol consumption and the disturbingly high levels of social harm in the two towns.
Data and local case studies were collected between July and November this year and Wunan Foundation Executive Chairman Ian Trust says that not only does the research clearly link alcohol and social harm, it also powerfully demonstrates that the more serious the level of social harm, such as suicide, murder, assault and child abuse, the higher the likelihood of alcohol being a significant contributing factor.
“Some of the data and case studies provided in this report are truly horrific and, as a leading Aboriginal organisation in the region, Wunan cannot accept what is happening here – especially to our vulnerable children,” Mr Trust said.
1. During the reporting period, of the 11 Ambulance call outs for self-harm (5), hanging (3) and stabbings (4), 100 per cent were alcohol-related
2. Of all domestic violence and other assaults reported to police, 84 per cent were alcohol-related
3. A five year old girl in Kununurra tested positive for gonorrhoea this year – she and five other children from the same ‘drinking family’, all of whom had gonorrhoea, were removed (Child Protection & Family Support, Kununurra)
4. “Babies are born with FASD all the time in Kununurra. It’s very, very common. Almost a whole generation is being wiped out.” (Kununurra Hospital)
Mr Trust urged the Director of Liquor Licensing to consider Wunan’s request, which he says is “fairly modest” and, in combination with the Cashless Debit Card and the Takeaway Alcohol Management System (TAMS) currently operating in the two towns, would significantly reduce the amount of alcohol able to be consumed in a day.
Wunan is not arguing that the current exemptions for station owners, liquor merchants, mail order sales and pre-orders be changed.
Click on the link below to read the submission
Wunan-Submission-to-Director-of-Liquor-Licensing_December-2016
Media enquiries: Jo McMillan 0439 632 712