If governments are going to prevent family violence, we need to ensure that better regulating alcohol is part of the suite of measures that are adopted.
Alcohol is a significant contributor to family violence, with alcohol involved in between 23 and 65 per cent of all family violence incidents reported by police.
The use of alcohol by perpetrators of violence also increases the severity of family violence, leading to higher rates of physical violence and injury.
We know that the increased accessibility and availability of alcohol results in an increased risk of violence.
The explosion of alcohol sold online and rapidly delivered into the home has further increased the availability and accessibility of alcohol across the country.
When alcohol can be delivered within 20 minutes – day and night – without checks and balances, it puts families at greater risk of violence.
Alcohol sales are also targeted at people who drink the most alcohol, with companies selling 36 per cent of alcohol to 5 per cent of people, placing people at greater risk of harm.
We’ve had stories shared with us that the sound of the alcohol delivery truck is a warning to hide and to protect their kids from their partner.
While the National Cabinet did not address alcohol, every Premier and Chief Minister in the country can act now to help keep women and children safe.
State and territory governments have the power to enact vital change. They can update their liquor laws to include common sense measures on the online sale and delivery of alcohol.
Here’s how each jurisdiction currently stacks up:
ACT
What measures currently exist?
There are no specific regulations for the online sale and delivery of alcohol in the ACT.
What has the government committed to?
In 2022, the ACT government committed to review online sale and delivery laws in its Drug Strategy Action Plan, and to “explore options for further regulation”.
Following this, in 2023, the government held a public consultation on its proposed framework which included several measures to reduce harm, including ID checks when delivering alcohol and making it an offence to deliver to anyone under 18, to people who are intoxicated or to leave deliveries unattended.
The next step is for the government to release a response to the consultation. This report is pending.
NSW
What measures currently exist?
The NSW government implemented some reforms in 2020. These included mandatory ID checks when buying alcohol online and when it is delivered, mandatory responsible service of alcohol training specific to delivery and making it an offence to sell online or deliver alcohol to people under 18 or to people who are intoxicated.
However, alcohol deliveries can occur late into the night up to midnight most nights of the week.
What has the government committed to?
The government reviewed its online sale and delivery of alcohol laws in 2022 and 2023, which included seeking public submissions. As a result of industry feedback, the government considered pulling back on its requirements for ID checks.
Despite the report pointing out concerning trends, including that people who drink at high risk levels were more likely to see direct and social media marketing for the delivery of alcohol, the NSW government has not taken any further action.
As of May 2024, no further announcements have been made.
Northern Territory
What measures currently exist?
In 2019, the NT government implemented several reforms, following a review of alcohol laws in 2017.
Current measures in place include limits on late night delivery and required ID checks when delivering alcohol. The government has also made it an offence to deliver alcohol to anyone under 18, people who are intoxicated, or to leave a delivery unattended.
However, there are several areas where change is still needed in requirements to check ID when ordering alcohol online.
What has the government committed to?
The government has not made any further commitments to increase protections.
Queensland
What measures currently exist?
There are no specific regulations for the online sale and delivery of alcohol in Queensland.
What has the government committed to?
In the Queensland Alcohol and Other Drugs Plan, released in 2022, the government committed to review online sale and delivery laws.
Last year, in 2023, it released a proposed framework and sought public consultation.
The government proposed important reforms including mandatory ID checks when selling alcohol online and making it an offence to sell online or deliver alcohol to anyone under 18, people who are intoxicated or to leave deliveries unattended.
In January 2024, further public consultation was carried out in some areas such as ID checks, further delaying reform.
South Australia
What measures currently exist?
The state government introduced some reforms in 2018 including making it an offence to deliver alcohol to people aged under 18, or people who are intoxicated and requiring ID checks for delivery.
However, there are several areas where change is still needed in requirements to check ID when ordering alcohol online.
What has the government committed to?
In 2021, the previous state government tabled legislation with further reforms, however this lapsed.
In 2023, the current government indicated they would release a consultation framework in 2024, but this has yet to be seen.
Tasmania
What measures currently exist?
There are almost no specific regulations of the online sale and delivery of alcohol in Tasmania. However, it is an offence to deliver alcohol to anyone under 18.
What has the government committed to?
The government has made no commitments or announcements about reforms to strengthen regulation of alcohol sold online and delivered into the home.
Victoria
What measures currently exist?
In 2021, the state government introduced several reforms including mandatory ID checks when delivering alcohol and the introduction of a licence specific to online sale and delivery, which delivery providers must obtain.
It is also an offence to deliver or sell alcohol online to anyone under 18, to people who are intoxicated, or to leave deliveries unattended.
What has the government committed to?
In 2023, a parliamentary committee released a report on gambling and liquor regulation in Victoria which recommended the government implement responsible service of alcohol training targeted at delivering alcoholic products.
As of May 2024, no announcements of further reforms have been made.
Western Australia
What measures currently exist?
The WA government introduced some protections in 2022, including mandatory ID checks when delivering alcohol and making it an offence to deliver alcohol to anyone who is under 18 to people who are intoxicated, or to leave deliveries unattended.
However, there are several areas where change is still needed in requirements to check ID when ordering alcohol online.
What has the government committed to?
As of May 2024, no announcements have been made about any further reforms.
What measures is FARE calling for?
Alcohol delivered rapidly into the home and late at night poses greater risk of harm, placing women and children at greater risk of violence.
The community also expects that common sense measures such as ID checks and responsible service of alcohol to be in place across the country.
Data driven marketing is placing people at greater risk, making every phone a bottleshop and a billboard and making it so that alcohol companies and retailers can target people who are most at risk.
Liquor laws across the country should ensure that the prevention of violence against women and children is the primary Object of the legislation.
The following common-sense measures are also required to reduce the risk of harm in the home, including violence:
- A 2-hour safety pause between order and delivery, for alcohol-only orders, to prevent the rapid delivery of alcohol into homes;
- Limiting deliveries to between 10am and 10pm, to reduce the risks of alcohol-related family violence and suicide, which increase later at night in the home;
- Effective digital age verification for online sales of alcohol to ensure alcohol isn’t sold to children;
- ID checks on delivery of alcohol to ensure alcohol isn’t supplied to children;
- Controls on predatory, data-driven push marketing to protect people’s health and privacy;
- Support for delivery staff including delivery-specific training, not penalising them for non-delivery, and making delivery companies liable for non-compliance.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, there is support available.
1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) provides 24/7 domestic and family violence support and counselling services.
