Alcohol delivery is largely an unregulated space. Photo: Artem_ka2.
Age verification and identity checking, refusing delivery to intoxicated people, making delivery companies liable for breaches to the law – these are just some of the several changes an inquiry has suggested to a bill that would restrict same-day liquor deliveries in the ACT.
The Liquor Amendment Bill 2025 aims to address some of the implications of the rapid expansion of alcohol delivery in Canberra.
It has suggested limiting same-day alcohol delivery to between 10 am and 10 pm, a 2-hour “safety pause” between ordering and delivery, a mechanism to cap the volume of alcohol delivered in 24 hours, and requiring delivery drivers to complete a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course.
But the inquiry report has urged the ACT Government to go even further.
It’s recommended the bill be amended to ensure that, at a minimum, it includes an assurance there will be age verification and identity checking; refusal of delivery to intoxicated people and minors; prohibitions on unattended same-day delivery; prohibitions on deliveries to prescribed locations (such as schools and playgrounds); mandatory training for delivery personal; and for delivery service providers to have self-exclusion registers.
“Different stakeholders have put forward different perspectives ranging from recommending further tightening of the regulations to arguments that the proposed regulations are too restrictive,” the report noted.
“[The committee also recommends] the inclusion of the provision requiring a review of the legislative changes.”
It also recommended that the bill be amended to clarify that delivery companies are liable for any delivery breaches, such as deliveries to children or to intoxicated individuals.
“The committee is concerned that delivery drivers may be vulnerable to liability for delivery breaches when these may be carried out under the auspices of the delivery company concerned,” it noted.
Other recommendations included that the bill be amended to make “harm minimisation the paramount objective” of the Liquor Act 2010 and remove the exemption from same-day delivery restrictions applying to alcohol supplied with meals.
But not every committee member was on board with all the recommendations.
Member and Canberra Liberals MLA Chiaka Barry issued a dissenting report, stating she wasn’t satisfied that the bill would reduce alcohol-related harm in the way it was hoped.
“I am not satisfied that the proposed measure is proportionate, evidence-based, or likely to achieve its intended outcomes,” she said.
“The evidence before the committee does not establish a clear, ACT-specific empirical basis for a universal 2-hour delay. Further, the proposal risks unintended consequences for small businesses, consumers, and regulatory integrity.
“While the committee did not make any finding on the 2-hour delivery period, I disagree that this provision should form part of the legislation.”
She argued that a more proportionate approach would instead strengthen targeted harm-reduction measures rather than applying blanket rules to all alcohol consumers.
“National data shows that 36 per cent of alcohol is consumed by approximately 5 per cent of drinkers,” Ms Barry said.
“The proposed restrictions would impact 100 per cent of consumers, and such broad-based limitations on lawful behaviour require substantial justification.
“Reducing alcohol-related harm is a shared objective. However, public policy must be evidence-based, proportionate, targeted toward demonstrated risk, and mindful of economic and regulatory consequences.”
Other stakeholders have hailed the committee’s recommendations.
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) CEO Ayla Chorley welcomed the call for harm minimisation to be the Liquor Act’s “paramount object”.
“This would mean any government decisions relating to alcohol, such as approving liquor licences, must place the impact to community health and safety first, not the profit of large corporations,” she said.
“These are simple, common-sense measures that we would expect in any setting where alcohol is sold. We know that alcohol intensifies and exacerbates violence, and that a 2-hour safety pause can be a critical circuit breaker to avoid escalation.
“The ACT has shown real leadership in heeding the evidence, and the voices of victim-survivors, and acting on it. Now the focus must turn to ensuring these laws are enacted quickly.”
ACT Greens leader and health spokesperson Shane Rattenbury said the stories from victim-survivors of alcohol-related violence at the inquiry hearings were particularly powerful.
“During the inquiry, we heard that alcohol is estimated to be involved in 23 to 65 per cent of all family violence reported to police,” he said.
“Since alcohol is such a key contributor to domestic and family violence, adopting these evidence-based recommendations around same-day delivery of alcohol will be an important way of reducing these harms for people in the ACT.
“Convenience shouldn’t come at a cost to people’s health and safety.”
The ACT Government has four months to respond to the report.
If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline 13 11 14, the National 24/7 Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline 1800 250 015 or 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732.
