As the WA Government reviews the state’s liquor laws, Cancer Council WA are standing with community members who say the current rules aren’t stopping harm from the fast-growing online alcohol delivery industry.
Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen and is a known cause of seven types of cancer, yet many Australians remain unaware of this risk, making easy access to alcohol through home delivery an even greater public health concern. In addition to cancer, alcohol contributes to mental health issues, the frequency and severity of family violence, chronic disease, and injury.
Community members spoke with Cancer Council WA about the lack of appropriate safeguards around the online sale and home delivery of alcohol.
I didn’t have to leave the house and be sober enough to go to the bottle shop,” one community member said. “I could wake up still intoxicated and just order alcohol for the day online. When I was close to running out, I would just order more. I was able to remain intoxicated for a few days in a row.
Community members expressed that little effort was required to receive alcohol at the door. “I could just kind of poke my head out, grab my delivery, flash my ID, sign for it. And that was it,” one community member said.
One community member stated that “alcohol cannot be clearly separated from violence”, and others also expressed the view that alcohol and violence are intertwined, raising significant concerns about the accessibility of alcohol through home delivery services.
Women and children are being put in vulnerable situations every single day in their own homes,” one community member said. “It’s behind closed doors and there’s no escaping that. Why is there no kind of safeguarding in the homes? You know, if you’re at a bar, people can leave.
Cancer Council WA has been actively participating in the liquor law reform process to show our support for common-sense community safeguards, including a two-hour safety pause between order and delivery, limits of nighttime delivery hours, and reliable ID and intoxication checks.
If you have concerns about the lack of safety measures around online sales and home delivery of alcohol or have perspectives on alcohol harms, email the Alcohol Programs Team to share your thoughts and experiences.
You can also visit our Elevating Community Voices webpage to submit your questions, experiences, and thoughts.
