The proposed improvements to alcohol policy would strengthen barring orders and the regulation of same-day alcohol delivery while also boosting the transparency of license applications.
Same-day delivery alcohol
Certain license categories are allowed to sell a limited amount of alcohol for takeaway or delivery with meals. The proposed law makes it an offense to deliver alcohol to a minor or intoxicated person and requires those delivering same-day alcohol orders to be appropriately trained.
Barring Orders
The Liquor and Gambling Commissioner will be able to bar someone from a venue, an area of the premises, or a group of venues, at the request of the individual or a third party. This is consistent with laws regulating gambling venues. The Commissioner will also be able to bar someone from purchasing takeaway alcohol in specific regions to tackle alcohol-related harm.
Licence Applications
The Liquor and Gambling Commissioner at their discretion can publish certain documents online relating to a liquor licensing application. Thus, increasing transparency, and removing the requirement for people to view the documents in person only.
These changes aim to strike a balance between protecting the community from alcohol-related harm and increasing transparency for liquor licence applicants,” said Vickie Chapman, Attorney-General, as per Steven Marshall Premier of South Australia.
The changes would strengthen current laws and better regulate the sale of take-away and delivery of alcohol in South Australia.”
Vickie Chapman, Attorney-General
These laws were proposed after several studies showed the harm caused due to alcohol delivery and easy and wide alcohol availability to Australian people.
- A recent study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that access to a liquor license outlet led to more family violence in Victoria, Australia.
- Another study by Turning Point found that alcohol-related harm has switched to homes during COVID-19. The study reported a 9% increase in alcohol-related ambulance callouts to homes in Victoria, Australia.
- A report by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) found that none of the nine major online alcohol retailers surveyed used point of sale age verification – exposing children and vulnerable people to alcohol harms.
Given the mounting evidence regarding harm caused by alcohol delivery and wide alcohol availability, these improvements in alcohol laws in South Australia – if implemented – will help protect people from the harm caused by the products and practices of the alcohol industry.
Sources
Steven Marshall Premier of South Australia: “Strengthening SA’s liquor licensing laws“
Turning Point: “More access to alcohol outlets in Victoria associated with increased family violence-related ambulance attendances“