The Sale of Liquor Act, 1989: Reviewing Regulatory Practices

Linda Hill, Liz Stewart

Legislative control over the sale and supply of alcohol, and the way legislation is implemented, has important consequences for the health of individuals and the community as a whole. The level of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm can be affected by liquor-licensing laws. In 1989 a new Sale of Liquor Act introduced radical changes in the availability of alcohol, in what was required of licensees, and in the way liquor licensing was administered. The Act is currently under review and is likely to be amended in 1997.

This paper summarises research undertaken by the Alcohol and Public Health Research Unit on the operation of the licensing system, as experienced by the local statutory officers charged with its administration and enforcement. The strongest messages coming out of this survey were that some provisions of the Act need clarification (especially regarding the minimum legal drinking age, serving intoxicated persons and “host responsibility” requirements), and that licences should be “easier to lose”.

The paper concludes that from a public health perspective, the current review of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 is a crucial opportunity to ensure the various provisions of the Act embody coherent public policy and allow effective enforcement of legislative intentions.