Alcohol harm is exacerbated by the online sale and delivery of alcohol, which has vastly increased availability and accessibility. This is part of a broader trend towards digitisation of transactions and mobility of products in society. But alcohol is no ordinary product like groceries or books. It is a drug that requires controls on how it is sold and supplied so that communities are protected from potential harm.
The issue of harmful digital marketing practices is falling through the gaps of existing and recommended regulatory frameworks and warrants greater consideration in regulatory reforms seeking to prevent consumer harms online.
In 2023, the Northern Territory Government announced a review of the Liquor Act 2019 (the Act), to assess how the Act is meeting its objective of minimising alcohol harm. As part of the review, a Discussion Paper was published that outlined key issues and potential reforms.
The NSW Government has been considering significant changes to its liquor licensing laws, which were proposed in a detailed Liquor Licensing Reform Options Discussion Paper for consultation. The Discussion Paper proposed some positive changes that could improve community engagement and access to licensing consultation.
Many no and low alcohol products (sometimes referred to as zero alcohol products) are an extension of existing alcohol brand ranges. These products are becoming increasingly available in retail settings where alcohol is not allowed to be marketed or sold, such as convenience stores and supermarkets.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) called for submissions on an application to permit pregnancy warning labels on corrugated cardboard cartons (CCCs) to be in a single colour on a contrasting background. The requirements of ‘Pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages’ as incorporated into the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the code), cover the scope, application, size and colour requirements of the warning labels.
The ACT Government has been updating its Drug Strategy Action Plan 2022-2026 to replace the now-concluded 2018-21 Drug Strategy Action Plan. The Action Plan outlines the ACT Government’s priorities to address harms from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs over the next four years.
The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System recommended that the Victorian Government develop a suicide prevention and response strategy to better prevent and respond to suicide. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Division in the Victorian Department of Health provided a Discussion Paper for stakeholders to respond to.
The rise of the #MeToo movement has shone a spotlight on the prevalence of sexual harassment, bullying and other inappropriate and unacceptable behaviours within workplaces across the country, leading to a range of inquiries at federal and state levels. Alcohol is a risk factor for these types of behaviours, acknowledged in several recent government reviews.
The ACT Government invited written submissions to its 2022-23 Budget Consultation to consider the ACT Wellbeing Framework. FARE lodged a submission ‘Preventing the Criminalisation of People with FASD’ that addresses all 12 domains of the ACT Wellbeing Framework.
FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2023 FARE
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FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2021 FARE
Privacy Statement
T&C
