South Australians ordering alcohol online will face a minimum two-hour wait under new liquor licensing reforms that have passed State Parliament.
The changes will also restrict same-day alcohol deliveries to between 10am and 10pm, as part of reforms developed in response to South Australia’s Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
The measures were initially introduced to State Parliament on August 19th and respond to recommendations 128 and 129 of the Royal Commission. Consumer and Business Services described the legislation at the time as the first direct legislative response to the Commission’s final report.
Under the reforms, alcohol ordered for same-day delivery cannot be delivered until at least two hours after the order is placed.
The Liquor Licensing Act 1997 will also be amended to place greater emphasis on minimising the harm, and potential for harm, caused by excessive or inappropriate alcohol consumption.
The Royal Commission recommended restricting alcohol delivery to between 10am and 10pm and introducing the two-hour delay as part of its examination of alcohol-related harm and domestic, family and sexual violence.
Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs Michael Brown said, “These landmark reforms are an important step towards strengthening the regulation of online alcohol delivery to reduce alcohol-related harm and better protect victim-survivors.
“South Australia has taken a leading role in introducing safeguards to keep up with online home delivery of alcohol, in recognition of the role alcohol can play in fuelling and exacerbating family and domestic violence.”
Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Alice Rolls added, “Domestic and family violence destroys lives, and we cannot afford to ignore the role that alcohol can play in making that violence more frequent and more severe.
“This is about putting safety ahead of convenience. It is about protecting victims and families, and making sure our laws keep pace with the way alcohol is being bought and delivered.
“We will continue to take the tough, practical action needed to reduce domestic and family violence and keep South Australians safe.”
The reforms follow a broader South Australian Government response to the Royal Commission, which included a commitment to progress changes to the Liquor Licensing Act and establish a minimum two-hour safety pause for rapid alcohol delivery.
