Source : Perth Now news
An Aussie state has passed tough new rules on alcohol following a major inquiry into domestic violence.
New laws putting tighter restrictions on the sale and delivery of booze have passed through South Australia’s state parliament.
The move puts an end to 24-hour alcohol delivery and introduces a compulsory two-hour cooling off period before any orders can be fulfilled.
It is a measure designed to clamp down on alcohol-related domestic violence after the state held a royal commission into domestic, family and sexual violence.
The law change means that overnight delivery of alcohol to homes can no longer take place, restricting same-day delivery to between 10am and 10pm.
It also introduces a cooling-off period, described as a “safety pause” between the placing of any online liquor order and its delivery.
Under this “safety pause”, no online order will be able to be delivered until at least two hours after it is placed.
The measures are an Aussie first, with SA the first state to introduce an approach of this kind.
“These landmark reforms are an important step towards strengthening the regulation of online alcohol delivery to reduce alcohol-related harm and better protect victim-survivors,” Consumer Minister Michael Brown said.
“South Australia has taken a leading role in introducing safeguards to keep up with online home delivery of alcohol in recognition of the role alcohol can play in fuelling and exacerbating family and domestic violence.”
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Minister Alice Rolls said alcohol’s role in domestic violence was something the government “cannot afford to ignore”.
“This is about putting safety ahead of convenience,” she said.
“It is about protecting victims and families and making sure our laws keep pace with the way alcohol is being bought and delivered.”
