Dear WA Department of Health,

Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), I am seeking access to information about the ending of the Cashless Debit Card program, in the following areas:

East Kimberley region, Western Australia
Goldfields region, Western Australia

For the period May 22, 2022 to the present.

I am seeking any reports or data, about:

Changes in the incidence of alcohol related hospitalisations and/or matters requiring medical attention in areas where the cashless debit card was trialled.
Changes in the incidence of alcohol consumption in areas where the cashless debit card was trialled.

If it is easier, I would be happy to have the department create a document consistent with section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Yours faithfully,

Oliver Smith

DOH, FOI, WA Department of Health

Dear Mr Smith,

Thank you for your correspondence.

Requests for documents held by the WA Department of Health are able to be requested under the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (WA). The Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act (1982) is not applicable for requests for state Government records and there is no provision under the WA FOI Act for the creation of documents to suit a purpose.

As your request is for two regions within the remit of WA Country Health Service (WACHS) it would be better to submit your request to that department, please see below for contact details:

WA Country Health Service (WACHS)
Central office
Manager Records Management
Postal address: PO Box 6680, East Perth Business Centre WA 6892
Phone: 1800 794 748 Option 3
Email: [email address]
Website: https://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/

Kind regards,

Kirsty Fehlberg | Freedom of Information Coordinator
Technology & Information Services | Corporate Services | Office of the Deputy Director General
Department of Health |189 Royal Street, East Perth WA 6004
T: (08) 9222 2410 E: [WA Department of Health request email] W: www.health.wa.gov.au
Delivering a Healthy WA

Acknowledgement of Country
I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation. I wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

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