Halls Creek kids doomed unless Licensing Court acts

Media release from the AMA (WA)

Licensing laws need to change in Halls Creek

The AMA (WA) has backed calls for restrictions on the sale of alcohol in Halls Creek, claiming a generation of children will grow up mentally impaired unless there's a reduction in drinking by the town's young pregnant mothers.

"What is happening in Halls Creek is a shameful tragedy and cannot be allowed to continue," said association President Prof Geelhoed.

"Apart from the social consequences of alcohol abuse, we have serious concerns raised by the town's senior doctor that up to a third of children in Halls Creek have foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

"These children are being raised by young women who have their own learning difficulties because of alcohol abuse by their mothers.

"If we fail to act and ignore the problem the next generation of Aboriginal kids will be condemned to a life of behavioural problems, neglect, health issues, educational failures, substance abuse and juvenile crime."

Prof Geelhoed, who heads Princess Margaret Hospital's emergency department, said babies in Halls Creek were being born with irreversible brain damage resulting from their mothers' excessive drinking.

Other babies had low birth weight, facial abnormalities and would be difficult to manage, drop out of school and inevitably end up in substance abuse and crime.

"We have already seen the benefits of banning takeaway full-strength alcohol in Fitzroy Crossing and the Licensing Court should have no hesitation in applying the same restrictions in Halls Creek," said Prof Geelhoed.

"It's a vital decision that far outweighs the commercial interests of the town's licensed premises and the Australian Hotel's Association."

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