WA Tightens Liquor Rules in Northern Towns

0:00It's April 17th, I'm Cory with the story. This is Sydney News today, driven by AI. Western Australia is pushing tough new liquor rules in Kununura and Newman to tackle skyrocketing alcohol harm. Racing and gaming minister Paul Papelia back stronger limits on takeaway booze sales in these northern towns where domestic violence rates are off. The charts. Liquor licensing director Lani Chopping is leading the charge with strict measures after reviewing the damage. Those stats are brutal and Kununura, alcohol fuel family violence is 58 times higher than a metro perth and in Newman it's 15 times. Worse. Meanwhile, nearby Brum and Derby saw a 26% drop in booze-related crime and similar dips in domestic violence after rolling out. Restrictions last year. Police call for sales curves in 25 towns across the state back in 2023, sparking changes in spots across the Kimberly. Kilbara, Gascoin and Goldfield regions, officials say it's indefensible not to act now, bringing

1:02these towns in line with proven fixes. The plans hit takeaway spots with mandatory closures on Sundays and Mondays, plus 7 p.m. shutdowns the other days, daily limits per person cap it at one case of beer, two bottles of wine, a bottle of spirits or pre-mix equivalents, tourists, station folks and event, permits, get exemptions, a six-week comment period kicks off for vendors. This crackdown aims to slash harm fast, mirroring success elsewhere and could reshape community safety up north real quick.