Leading health experts and community organisations are urging the Western Australian Government to follow the lead of South Australia after the state parliament's passing on Tuesday of the Liquor Licensing (Royal Commission Recommendations) Amendment Bill, which introduces a two-hour safety pause between online alcohol orders and delivery, and requires same day alcohol deliveries to be made between 10am and 10pm.
Following recommendations by the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence, South Australia is the nation's first jurisdiction to introduce common sense alcohol delivery reforms - a move that will help prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms, including violence against women and children.
With alcohol contributing to many harms to WA families, including to people's health, Cancer Council WA spokesperson, Danica Keric, Acting Alcohol Program Manager commends the South Australian Government's decision to prevent wider harm in the community, and encourages urgent action in the form of similar alcohol delivery reforms from the Western Australian Government.
"The current review of Western Australia's Liquor Control Act is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for reform to minimise harms from alcohol. We support the reforms to include sensible, evidence-based safeguards around the online sale and delivery of alcohol, similar to those recently passed in South Australia" said Cancer Council WA's Danica Keric.
With the passing of the alcohol delivery laws in South Australia serving as a timely reminder of the importance of governments setting higher standards for alcohol deliveries, Cancer Council WA is taking this opportunity to join forces with like-minded organisations.
"The rapid delivery of alcohol is driving more drinking into our 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 well-balanced and respond to the serious and widespread harms that are related to alcohol," said the Alcohol and Drug Foundation's CEO, Dr Erin Lalor AM.
The Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (WANADA) also voice their support.
"As the peak body representing alcohol and other drug services across Western Australia, WANADA supports evidence-informed approaches to reduce alcohol-related harms in community, and we congratulate the South Australian Government in leading the nation with a prevention approach," said Rochelle McIntosh, Acting CEO of WANADA.
At the National Cabinet meeting in August, First Ministers agreed to progress commonsense alcohol reforms as part of their commitment to end gender-based violence.
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education CEO Ayla Chorley said, "Reducing gender-based violence requires action across multiple fronts, and addressing alcohol-related harm is one of them. We have evidence-based, common-sense measures available today that are supported by survivor advocates and can help improve the safety of women and children.
"Alcohol intensifies and exacerbates domestic, family and sexual violence. We know that alcohol can be a tipping point which escalates violence and a two-hour safety pause can be enough to de-escalate the situation."
Cancer Council WA and partner organisations look forward to supporting and working with the Western Australian Government to minimise the harms from alcohol.
