Family violence prevention advocate Kym Valentine wants changes to alcohol delivery laws

Australia Broadcast Center

2 days ago

For most, a delivery driver's knock at the front door is a welcome arrival of a package eagerly waited for.
For people experiencing domestic violence fuelled by alcohol, it can be a different story.
"Abuse may be the bomb, alcohol the fuse, but delivery is like the guided missile that is the match," said family violence prevention advocate Kym Valentine.
The former Neighbours star wants changes to how alcohol delivery laws operate to help make a difference for people experiencing domestic violence.
"I can't tell you the measure of difference [this] would make for people," she said.
"This is not a cure all, but this is one of the most powerful and immediate levers the government can pull to reduce the frequency and severity of domestic violence."
A recommendation for lawmakers to review existing alcohol legislation was made after a national "rapid review" into preventing violence against women in May 2024.
The report also included calls for more regulation of gambling and alcohol industries.
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All state and territory leaders agreed to review their jurisdictions' relevant laws in September 2024, to take practical steps to speed up action against gender-based violence.
South Australia was the first to do so and has proposed changes to alcohol delivery services — something advocates want the rest of the country to follow suit on.
The proposed amendments would change the hours when alcohol can be ordered from 8am-10pm to 10am-10pm.
It would also add in a two-hour buffer period from ordering alcohol to delivery.
This is something which could act as a "circuit breaker" in family and domestic circumstances, according to Ayla Chorley, who is the chief executive officer of the Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education.
Ms Chorley said these changes were "common sense" measures.
"We're at a crisis point with family and domestic violence in this country, and what that means is that we have to look at all options," she said.
"This is just one of the levers that state and territory governments can consider and can pull at this point in time."
Ms Chorley said there were some concerns about the influence of "very powerful" alcohol lobby groups.
"We have no doubt that they are pushing very much for these reforms to be weakened," she said.
She said it was important for SA to lead with its proposed legislative changes and "send a message" to other states and territories.
In a statement, South Australia's Consumer and Business Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels said SA was the "leading the nation" with these reforms.
"We were the first state to release a draft bill for consultation," she said.
Ms Michaels said consultation had closed and feedback from all stakeholders was being considered, ahead of the bill being introduced to parliament later this year.
With the state election being held in March 2026, the amendments will need to pass before then, otherwise, like all legislation which does not pass before the parliament is dissolved, it will lapse.
Executive director of peak body Alcohol Beverages Australia, Alistair Coe, said it was important that any changes made were targeted and "fit for purpose".
"It's been quite a few years since the liquor laws in South Australia were reviewed, so we very much welcome this review," he said.
"We want to make sure that the measures that are taken are evidence based and do exactly what is intended.
"We certainly don't want to disadvantage the vast majority of people that drink alcohol responsibly and also order alcohol responsibly."
Mr Coe said the alcohol industry did not support the two-hour delivery buffer.
"The two-hour delivery window is very convenient for many people," he said.
"It's important to note that convenience does not equal harm."
For Ms Valentine, she wants to see South Australia take a strong stance which can be followed by other states and territories.
She urged the premiers and chief ministers who agreed to review alcohol laws to act.
"Live up to what you promised," she said.
"Lives actually depend on you fulfilling the promise that you made."