Media Release: Urgent Action Needed on Tasmania’s Alcohol Delivery Laws

Leading health experts and community organisations are urging the Tasmanian government to follow the lead of South Australia, which is the nation’s first jurisdiction to introduce common sense alcohol delivery reforms that will help prevent and reduce serious alcohol-related harms, including violence against women and children. 

As part of the South Australian government’s response to the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, the state’s parliament passed the Liquor Licensing (Royal Commission Recommendations) Amendment Bill, which mandates a two-hour safety pause between online alcohol orders and delivery, and restricts same day alcohol deliveries between 10pm-10am. 

Advocates say the current review of Tasmania’s Liquor Licensing Act is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for reform to reduce and prevent alcohol related harms, and must include sensible, evidence-based safeguards around the online sale and delivery of alcohol, like those just passed in South Australia.

“Tasmania has a valuable opportunity to strengthen its liquor licensing framework through evidence-based reforms that reduce alcohol-related harm. Measures that help prevent rapid alcohol delivery and support community safety, particularly for women and children, deserve serious consideration as part of the current review process,” said Dr Jackie Hallam, CEO of the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council of Tasmania. 

Dr Erin Lalor AM, CEO of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, said that the rapid delivery of alcohol is driving more drinking into homes and extending drinking sessions, which increases the risk of alcohol-related harms such as domestic and family violence. 

“That’s why it’s crucial that we have regulations that are guided by harm minimisation and respond to the serious and widespread negative health and social impacts related to alcohol,” Dr Lalor explained. 

At the National Cabinet meeting in August, First Ministers agreed to progressing “commonsense alcohol reforms” as part of their commitment to ending gender-based violence. 

“Family and sexual violence prevention needs to be considered in every area of government policy, including liquor licensing. National Cabinet has recognised alcohol reform as part of the response to gender-based violence, and Tasmania now has an opportunity to turn that commitment into action,” said Bree Klerk, CEO of the Tasmanian Family and Sexual Violence Alliance.

“A two-hour safety pause is a simple, practical measure that can reduce harm and help keep women and children safer in their homes,” Bree added. 

Ayla Chorley, CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education said that although the way alcohol is sold may have changed, the need for common-sense safeguards has not. 

“The Tasmanian government made a commitment, alongside all state and territory leaders, to address alcohol-related gendered violence, including through delivery,” Ayla said.

“A person’s safety should not depend on where they live. The evidence is clear, the solutions are available and every woman and child experiencing alcohol-related violence cannot continue to wait,” Ayla added. 

Advocates united earlier this year at the Community Action on Alcohol Harms forum in Hobart, to share their concerns around alcohol, including the state’s high risky drinking levels and related harms, the link between alcohol and domestic and family violence, and the heavy impact of related alcohol harms on healthcare services.

Dr Meg Creely, President of The Australian Medical Association Tasmania, said doctors see the devastating consequences of alcohol-related harm every day in clinics and hospitals, from liver disease and other chronic illnesses to injuries, mental ill-health, and the impacts of family violence. 

“We have a responsibility to support practical measures that help reduce this harm across our community,” said Dr Creely.

“A two-hour delay on alcohol delivery is a simple but important safeguard. It creates a circuit breaker between the impulse to order more alcohol and its arrival at the door, giving people time to reconsider their purchase and make a different choice,” Dr Creely added.

Other considerations being called for as part of Tasmania’s Liquor Licensing Act Review include addressing ultra-cheap alcohol, which significantly contributes to alcohol-related harm, and ensuring reforms do not increase alcohol availability by expanding alcohol sales into additional retail business types or settings.

“Removing ultra cheap alcohol will improve the health of Tasmanians and take pressure off hospitals and emergency workers,” said Dr Erin Lalor.

If people are worried about their own, or a relative or friend’s alcohol or other drug use, there is lots of help and support available. People can call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.