21/10/25 – Proposed changes to ACT alcohol delivery laws
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation commends the ACT Government on becoming the first Australian jurisdiction to propose common sense legislation around the online sale and delivery of alcohol, saying it will play a critical role in reducing alcohol-related harms, including violence towards women and children.
The proposed changes tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly today include:
- limiting alcohol deliveries between 10am-10pm
- introducing a two-hour safety pause between purchase and delivery
- capping the volume of alcohol that can be delivered within a 24-hour period
- introducing new Responsible Service of Alcohol training for people who deliver alcohol.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s ACT Manager, Allison Reid, strongly welcomed the proposed changes, saying the ACT Government is showing leadership and a commitment to the health and safety of the ACT community.
“We know that the easier it is to access alcohol, the higher the rates of harm, such as family violence. Yet, alcohol is more accessible than ever, especially when it can be purchased and delivered with just a click of a button,” Ms Reid said.
“Common-sense alcohol regulation, including limiting the hours in which it can be delivered, and having a two-hour safety pause between purchase and delivery, are part of a suite of health measures urgently needed to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms,” she added.
Last year at the National Cabinet meeting in September, all states and territories agreed to review their liquor laws to prioritise the prevention of violence against women and children.
“The link between alcohol and violence is clear, with data showing that alcohol is estimated to be involved in between 23 and 65 per cent of all family violence incidents reported by police. Yet a year on, we are still waiting to hear from other jurisdictions about how they plan to reduce alcohol availability and harms,” Ms Reid said.
“Now is the time for all jurisdictions to act and follow the lead of the ACT by tightening up alcohol delivery laws,” Ms Reid concluded.
ENDS
For media enquiries please call the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s media team on 0430 948 380 or email [email protected]