Advocates welcome Federal Government inquiry recommendations for alcohol marketing and delivery safeguards
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education
A Federal Government inquiry has recommended the Australian Government take action on alcohol marketing and rapid home delivery, measures advocates say will significantly reduce alcohol-related harm, including violence against women and children, across the country.
Today, the committee for the Federal Inquiry into the Health impacts of alcohol and drugs in Australia tabled their final report.
The committee made several recommendations to reduce harm from alcohol and improve community health and wellbeing, including:
- Establishing a new mandatory alcohol advertising and marketing regulatory framework
- Implementing national standards for the online sale and delivery of alcohol
- Prioritising support for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), including awareness and access to diagnostic services.
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education CEO Ayla Chorley said these measures would make a meaningful difference to individuals, families and communities affected by alcohol-related harm.
"I thank the inquiry committee for hearing the evidence and listening to the voices of people with lived experience, health organisations and community advocates. Their recommendations provide a clear pathway to reduce alcohol-related harm and create safer communities across Australia," she said.
"Alcohol causes so much harm – one Australian dies every 90 minutes because of alcohol. This harm ripples through families and communities. This harm is not inevitable. It is the result of systems that too often prioritises commercial interests over the health, safety and wellbeing of Australians.
"The way alcohol is marketed and sold should be determined by governments, not the industry that profits from a harmful and addictive product. These recommendations put the health and safety of Australians at the centre of decision-making, with stronger protections for children, greater safeguards around personal data, and meaningful accountability for non-compliance.
"We are also glad to see a focus on continued investment in effective, evidence-based prevention health programs to address FASD, including through Every Moment Matters and Strong Born."
"We know from research evidence and the accounts of people who have experienced harm, that this will go a long way to make a difference in the community."
“The committee has recognised that how alcohol is sold and delivered matters. Its recommendations on online sales and delivery are an important step towards reducing preventable harm. South Australia is leading the way with new alcohol delivery laws, including a two-hour safety pause designed to help reduce alcohol-related violence in the home," Ms Chorley added.
"Now we look to every other jurisdiction to honour their commitment to reduce alcohol-related violence in the home."
“The committee has heard the evidence and made its recommendations. The Australian Government now has a clear roadmap for action. These are practical, common-sense measures that will reduce harm, protect children and families, and improve the health and safety of communities across Australia.”
Measures to reduce harm from alcohol home delivery have also been recommended by the Federal Government's Rapid Review of prevention approaches to end gender-based violence and the South Australian Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
Contact details:
Kate Lewis
[email protected]
0429 291 120