South Australia has become the first state in the nation to pass landmark alcohol delivery reforms, including commonsense safeguards that will help make women and children safer in their homes.
Today, the Liquor Licensing (Royal Commission Recommendations) Amendment Bill passed South Australia’s Parliament. It means alcohol delivery in South Australia will be allowed from 10am – 10pm and a 2-hour safety pause will be introduced between order and delivery.
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education CEO Ayla Chorley said it marked a turning point for women and children across South Australia.
“Today belongs to the victim-survivors and advocates who have refused to stay silent about the devastating role alcohol can play in violence. Their persistence, courage and leadership have helped secure reforms that will make South Australian homes safer for women and children,” she said.
“Premier Peter Malinauskas and his Government has shown leadership as the first government in Australia to take this step forward. These measures are common-sense and modest, but the impact they will have cannot be overstated. This is genuinely life-changing reform.”
Earlier this month, National Cabinet agreed to “accelerate” action to end gender-based violence including by “progressing commonsense alcohol reforms”, as recommended by the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches. It came two years after state and territory leaders had already committed to reviewing their liquor laws to reduce gendered violence.
“A person’s safety should not depend on where they live, “Ms Chorley said. “To all Premiers and Chief Ministers – act urgently, heed the evidence and deliver on your promise to reduce alcohol-related violence. The evidence is clear, the solutions are available. You can no longer justify inaction.”
South Australian Survivor Advocate Stacey Nelan said, “Today is an important milestone, and one that has been a long time coming. These measures will save lives, and today we should recognise and celebrate that,”
“South Australia has shown that change is possible when we listen to the evidence, to those with lived experience and act with courage. I hope other states and territories follow swiftly, just as courageously. And as we celebrate this milestone, we must also keep moving forward – there is more work to do to ensure harm minimisation is at the heart of alcohol regulation and that the safety of women, children and communities remains the paramount consideration.”
FARE Lived Experience Advisor Kym Valentine said, “Thank you to Malinauskas government. National Cabinet committed to reviewing their liquor laws, and now South Australia has made world leading progress. Commitments and recommendations mean nothing without action and implementation. Other states should be on notice to follow through on their promise,”
“These reforms will reduce the frequency and severity of family violence in the home, it is also a child protection measure that will reduce easy access to alcohol in homes where abuse, neglect or family violence is already a risk. For all those children who have and are still living in fear, we say thank you.”
Embolden CEO Mary Leaker said, “The changes to South Australia’s Liquor Licensing Act passed today will reduce harm across our state from domestic, family and sexual violence,”
“With alcohol involved in up to 65 per cent of all reported domestic and family violence incidents, this is an important step toward safer homes and communities. It’s now time for other states and territories to follow South Australia’s lead.”
Alcohol and Drug Foundation CEO, Dr Erin Lalor AM said, “We applaud the South Australian Government for its leadership in introducing these reforms, which will play a critical role in improving the health and safety of individuals, families and communities,”
“The online sale and delivery of alcohol is a large and growing part of the market. Rapid delivery in particular is driving more drinking in our homes and extending drinking sessions, increasing the risk of alcohol-related harms such as domestic and family violence. That’s why it’s crucial that we have regulations that are well-balanced and respond to the serious and widespread harms that are related to alcohol.”
South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services CEO Fiona Endacott said, “As the peak body for the South Australian alcohol and drug sector, we applaud the passage of this important legislation, including the commonsense reforms that will serve to reduce harms resulting from alcohol use,”
“This legislation now mitigates rapid alcohol access and positions South Australia among the first jurisdictions in the country to implement alcohol delivery measures that prioritise community health and safety, particularly pertaining to community impacted by domestic, sexual and family violence.”
Public Health Association of Australia SA Branch President, Dr Mary Brushe said, “This is an important step by South Australia in leading the way to protect our community from alcohol-related harms. Not only will this policy reform help keep women and children safer it will support in reducing one of the biggest drivers of chronic disease burden and preventable deaths facing South Australians.”
South Australian Council of Social Service CEO Dr Catherine Earl said, “We commend Premier Peter Malinauskas and the South Australian Government for listening to victim-survivors and the community service organisations that support them. These are important public health reforms that will positively impact the health and wellbeing of our community.”
The new measures were explicitly recommended by the South Australian Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. The Federal Government’s expert-led Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches has made the same recommendations.
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