Australia: Shocking loophole in new law that could allow underage residents to buy booze online
By Emily Cosenza, NCA NewsWire
August 24, 2021
A shocking loophole has been uncovered that would allow underage South Australians to buy alcohol online without needing to prove they are of legal age.
The state government will introduce the Liquor Licensing (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2021 to parliament this week but health and community groups say mandatory age checks must be introduced to make sure alcohol is not sold to children online.
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education chief Caterina Giorgi said it was “disappointing” that the current bill that will be tabled in parliament does not include a requirement to verify proof of age identification.
She said the bill as it stood failed to keep alcohol companies responsible for checks that the community expected to be in place.
“We need to close the loopholes in our laws for alcohol deliveries, including the obligation to verify standards like checking IDs,” Ms Giorgi said.
Alcohol and Drug Foundation chief Dr Erin Lalor agreed, saying the state government would fail its duty of care to children if it passed the bill as it stood.
“Right now, the SA parliament has the opportunity to ensure that we are doing all we can to keep families and communities safe by introducing common sense measures on online alcohol sale and delivery,” she said.
NCA NewsWire understands the government will propose IDs be checked by a driver upon delivery – after purchase.
The groups are also calling for no unattended deliveries of alcohol and for a two-hour delay between the order and delivery to stop the fast supply of alcohol to people who may be intoxicated or managing alcohol dependencies.
Their calls were backed by SA Network of Drug and Alcohol Services chief Michael White, who said there was a missed opportunity to support people dealing with alcohol dependencies.
“Support services have seen many people experiencing alcohol dependencies during the pandemic,” he said.
“This bill allows the expansion of rapid alcohol delivery into homes, which will only make life harder for these people and their families.”
In November last year, the SA Government announced it would introduce new laws that would enable bars, restaurants and clubs to deliver alcohol with take away meals.
Under the legislation, licensees are allowed to sell either two bottles of wine, or one bottle of wine and a six-pack of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits with takeaway food.
More than 700 SA businesses successful applied for the temporary license that was first introduced earlier in 2020 during the lockdown.
Under the bill, the arrangements will be made permanent.
The government did not respond to questions regarding the loophole allowing children to buy alcohol, but Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said the proposed changes would strengthen barring orders and the regulation of same-day alcohol delivery.
She said it would also boost the transparency of licence applications.
“These changes aim to strike a balance between protecting the community from alcohol-related harm and increasing transparency for liquor licence applicants,” Ms Chapman said.
“The changes would strengthen current laws and better regulate the sale of takeaway and delivery of alcohol in South Australia.”