Community groups and survivor-advocates have called for an urgent overhaul of alcohol laws after the South Australian Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence concluded that alcohol is a key factor in violence towards women and children.
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) CEO, Ayla Chorley said the Royal Commission's findings reinforce the urgent need for action and match key provisions in the draft Liquor Licensing (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill, yet to be tabled in the South Australian Parliament.
Ms Chorley said: "Survivors have consistently told us you cannot address violence towards women and children without considering the impact of alcohol harm – now they've finally been heard."
The Royal Commission report recognises that alcohol accelerates the frequency and severity of violence, as highlighted in its Recommendation 128:
The Minister for Consumer and Business Services progress the following provisions contained in the Liquor Licensing (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025 (SA): a. the paramount object of the Liquor Licensing Act 1997 (SA) is to ensure that the sale and supply of liquor occurs in a manner that minimises the harm and potential for harm caused by the excessive or inappropriate consumption of alcohol b. the minimum 2-hour 'safety-pause' delay to prevent the rapid delivery of alcohol c. the restrictions on alcohol sale and delivery timelines.
"We welcome Premier Malinauskas' acknowledgement of the harm caused by the lack of regulation of online sale and delivery of alcohol and commend his Government's commitment to expedite their response regarding the Liquor Bill recommendation," Ms Chorley added.
The Royal Commission acknowledged the growing body of research showing alcohol heightens the risk to women and children experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.
It recommends the minimisation of alcohol harms as paramount, amending home delivery times, and a two-hour safety pause between alcohol being ordered and its delivery into the home – measures also set out in the draft bill.
Recent polling found widespread community support for the proposals, with three in four South Australians backing stronger controls on alcohol to protect women and children.
South Australian survivor-advocate Stacey Nelan said: "The Royal Commission's findings validate what many of us have lived through. But every day that we wait for these laws to be introduced is another day when those experiencing domestic and family violence live in fear and are at increased risk of harm. We are asking for these three commonsense measures to remain in the bill. Our government must realise that the right thing to do is to put the lives of women first."
The report also acknowledges the impact of alcohol in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the importance of culturally responsive, community-led solutions.
Following a National Cabinet meeting in September 2024 focusing on the national crisis of domestic, family and sexual violence, the South Australian Government committed to reviewing liquor licensing laws before releasing its draft bill in December. Eight months later, it is yet to progress through the Parliament, and there are fears industry pressure may lead to key proposed protections being weakened.
Dr Catherine Earl, CEO of the South Australian Council of Social Service said: "We commend Premier Malinauskas and his government for being the first in Australia to propose changes to outdated state liquor laws but the time for talk is over. This consequential Royal Commission's report highlights the critical need to expedite the bill and its provisions to minimise harm."
Dr Erin Lalor AM, CEO of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, said the report's strong prevention focus and alcohol reform recommendations, deserve the urgent attention of all jurisdictions.
"South Australia has an opportunity to show national leadership by introducing new alcohol laws. The evidence in this report highlights the urgency for reform," Dr Lalor said.
Ayla Chorley added: "Survivors are calling for this legislation to be enacted, the research supports it, the community is on board, and now the Royal Commission has recommended it. The time to act is now."
