South Australia is poised to become a national trailblazer in protecting communities from the escalating risks associated with alcohol delivery services, as legislators prepare to vote on groundbreaking liquor licensing reforms.

The draft legislation currently before the South Australian Parliament addresses a critical gap in regulation that has emerged as online alcohol sales have transformed the way Australians access alcoholic beverages. The alcohol regulation changes come at a crucial time, with new research revealing the extent of rapid alcohol delivery’s impact on vulnerable populations.

One in Three Australians Using Home Delivery Services

Groundbreaking research published this month has uncovered that one in three people who consumed alcohol in the past year had it delivered directly to their homes. More alarmingly, nearly 40% of these deliveries arrived within two hours of ordering.

The findings paint a concerning picture of how online alcohol sales have created new pathways to harm. People showing signs of alcohol dependency were twice as likely to use rapid alcohol delivery services compared to those at low risk of harm.

“The speed and ease of these services bypass the traditional safeguards that exist in physical retail environments,” noted the research authors.

Fatal Consequences of Unregulated Access

The real-world consequences of unchecked alcohol delivery have been tragically illustrated through several high-profile cases. An investigation into alcohol delivery company Jimmy Brings revealed it had delivered three bottles of wine daily to a Sydney man in the weeks preceding his death.

In Victoria, Coroner Ingrid Giles identified that online alcohol sales services delivered over 300 products to Kathleen Arnold’s home during the six months leading to her death, a staggering quantity that raises serious questions about duty of care.

Digital Marketing Driving Harmful Consumption

The research also exposed how digital advertising strategies are accelerating problematic drinking patterns. Nearly one quarter of respondents reported purchasing alcohol delivery services after seeing online advertisements.

The impact on vulnerable groups is particularly stark. Almost 30% of people likely experiencing alcohol dependency bought alcohol online after exposure to digital marketing, and half had used ‘buy now’ buttons embedded in advertisements, double the rate of low-risk drinkers.

This represents a fundamental shift in the alcohol marketplace. The traditional separation between advertising exposure and purchase has collapsed, with direct links enabling instantaneous transactions that bypass opportunity for reflection or intervention.

Domestic Violence Connection Strengthens Reform Case

The South Australian Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence has explicitly identified alcohol delivery as a contributing factor in violence against women and children. The Commission recommended restrictions on online alcohol sales as a violence reduction measure, a recommendation now reflected in the draft Bill.

The proposed legislation introduces three key safeguards: a mandatory two-hour pause between order and delivery, restricted delivery hours of 10am to 10pm, and the establishment of harm minimisation as a paramount objective of liquor laws.

Community Support Strong, Industry Pushback Expected

Public backing for alcohol delivery reforms is robust, with communities increasingly concerned about the accessibility of rapid delivery services. However, the South Australian government now faces pressure from alcohol industry lobbying groups opposed to the liquor licensing reforms.

Advocates are calling on legislators to prioritise community wellbeing over commercial interests as the Bill progresses through Parliament.

Previous research has consistently demonstrated that the online sale and rapid delivery of alcohol increases high-risk consumption patterns and related harms. South Australia’s liquor licensing reforms represent an opportunity to establish a national benchmark for responsible regulation in the digital age.

If passed, the alcohol regulation changes would position South Australia at the forefront of addressing a public health challenge that has outpaced regulatory frameworks across the country. Other jurisdictions are watching closely as the state prepares to vote on measures that could reshape alcohol delivery nationwide.

Source: Fare