ACT Government seeks same-day alcohol delivery reform

The ACT Government has invited community input on proposed reforms to regulate same-day alcohol delivery services in the territory. 

A discussion paper on the regulation of this emerging retail sector has been released as the government seeks to legislate protection for customers, delivery drivers and retailers. 

Shane Rattenbury, ACT Attorney-General, said the risks involved mainly relate to under-18s and those already intoxicated when placing orders. 

“While these services are convenient for consumers and create retail and employment opportunities, the same-day delivery of alcohol presents some risks for the community. 

“In particular, these include risks for those under the age of 18 and those who are intoxicated when they place an online order. Any amendments to the Liquor Act 2010 must support our harm minimisation approach to liquor policy in the ACT, including reducing the risk of consuming alcohol at an early age,” he said. 

Rattenbury pointed to the example of NSW, where a framework to regulate alcohol deliveries was introduced in 2021. 

“In 2021, the NSW Government introduced a framework to regulate alcohol deliveries, making harm minimisation standards more comparable to those at physical bottle shop premises,” he said. 

In the ACT premises providing same-day alcohol delivery services are currently regulated by Access Canberra as off-licences.

Research released last month by Frontier Economics and Retail Drinks Australia claimes to disprove the misconception that the availability of same-day delivery is a risk for minors and those prone to overconsumption. 

The Retail Drinks Online Alcohol Sale and Delivery Research Report analysed almost nine million transactions from major suppliers and delivery partners and found the primary users of online liquor websites tend to be older individuals with a higher spending propensity. 

Michael Waters, CEO of Retail Drinks Australia, said: “There is a growing misperception that online purchasing is fuelling a generation of tech-savvy liquor-consuming millennials. However, this report debunks such myths with empirical evidence.

“Rather than relying on extrapolations from anecdotes or sample surveys, this exhaustive research reveals that consumers only use online purchase and delivery a couple of times a year, the vast majority are comfortable receiving their products in the days after placing their orders, and it is most used by people aged over 35.”

The discussion paper can be found on the ACT Government YourSay page, and consultation closes early next month.

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