Survivor advocates and public health organisations are calling on the newly re-elected South Australian Labor Government to move swiftly on alcohol delivery reform. They warn that further delays carry a real human cost.

The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), the South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services (SANDAS), and the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) congratulated Premier Peter Malinauskas after Labor’s Saturday election win. All three groups immediately renewed their push for changes to the state’s alcohol delivery laws.

Alcohol Delivery Reform Bill Is Ready for Parliament

A draft Bill sits ready to be tabled. Advocates say the government consulted on it in early 2025 and must now move without further delay. The Bill proposes three key measures. First, a two-hour safety pause between order and delivery. Second, delivery windows restricted to 10am and 10pm. Third, harm minimisation must become the paramount object of the Liquor Act, placing community health and safety above industry profit in all licensing decisions.

Premier Malinauskas committed before the election to progress alcohol delivery reform “immediately upon the Parliament sitting post the election.” Supporters now expect him to honour that pledge.

FARE Chief Executive Ayla Chorley said the Premier’s promise gave real hope to families living with domestic violence. “The evidence is clear. Survivor Advocates’ experiences are clear. These measures will go a long way to preventing harm to women and children,” she said.

Domestic Violence the Only Crime Rising Nationally

Alcohol delivery laws matter because the violence they aim to interrupt is growing. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Recorded Crime Offenders data shows domestic, family, and sexual violence rose by 8 per cent nationally. It is now the only category of offending to increase, in what remains one of the most underreported forms of violence in the country.

Both the South Australian Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence and the Federal Government’s expert-led Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches recommend the two-hour safety pause. Both bodies name it as a critical enabling-condition measure to reduce violence in the home.

“With domestic and family violence the only crime increasing nationally, we cannot ignore what drives escalation,” Ms Chorley said. “Alcohol is often part of the moment where things tip. Alcohol delivery reform can stop that moment becoming something far more dangerous.”

“Four Women Killed While the Bill Sat Waiting”

Survivor Advocate Stacey Nelan spoke plainly about the cost of delay. During the year-plus the draft Bill sat idle, four South Australian women died in incidents where alcohol played a role. Many more suffered injury, trauma, and hospitalisation.

“Multiple unexplained delays in progressing this reform have frustrated so many,” she said. “Now the time has come for the Premier to act. No more delays. No more excuses.”

Alcohol Delivery Laws Can Set a National Standard

Health and community groups see South Australia’s position as a national opportunity. ADF Chief Executive Dr Erin Lalor AM argued that sensible alcohol delivery laws deserve urgent attention from every state and territory.

“The South Australian Government has an opportunity to show national leadership and pave the way for other jurisdictions,” Dr Lalor said. “These reforms can help prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms, including violence towards women and children.”

SANDAS Chief Executive Fiona Endacott said passing the amendments would place South Australia among the first jurisdictions in the country to adopt alcohol delivery laws that directly cut harms from rapid, on-demand services.

“We look forward to seeing this Bill tabled immediately and swift passage through Parliament,” she said.

Time to Deliver on the Promise

Parliament is set to resume. The Malinauskas Government now faces a clear test: do pre-election commitments become law? The Bill is ready. The evidence is strong. Survivor voices are unambiguous.

Advocates are out of patience. The message is simple: dust off the Bill and get it done.

Source: fare