It could become harder for Queenslanders to get alcohol delivered to their homes, with the state government calling for feedback on how it should better manage the online alcohol industry.
Ease of access for problem drinkers and a lack of appropriate identification checks at point of sale were highlighted as issues by the government.
Sean Popovich, deputy CEO of Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (QNADA), said as the industry continues to grow, legislation needs to catch up.
"There are a significant number of people not having their ID checked or they're receiving alcohol whilst intoxicated," Mr Popovich said.
QNADA is calling for limited hours of service, as well as a two-hour delay between point of sale and when alcohol arrives on customers' doorsteps.
"We know that as it gets later there are increased risks with having alcohol delivered," Mr Popovich said.
Retail Drinks Australia told the ABC that 80 per cent of Australia's online alcohol sales and delivery market has signed up to a code implementing fair practice initiatives such as a ban on same-day unattended deliveries, self-exclusion and effective age verification procedures.
New South Wales and Victoria have both made changes to their laws in the past two years to minimise harm related alcohol use.
In NSW, delivery drivers must complete Responsible Supply of Alcohol Training, check customers' ID, only deliver between 9am and midnight and not deliver to alcohol-free public zones.
Providers must also have an online method for customers to self-exclude, report delivery data to Liquor & Gaming NSW, keep records of refused deliveries and not hold drivers financially responsible for refusing a same-day delivery.
Alcohol's relationship with domestic violence
More than 70 per cent of women who accessed domestic violence victim support service DV Connect's services said that alcohol consumption had been involved in their case.
The Queensland-wide helpline for people experiencing domestic violence wants to see online retailers regulated as brick-and-mortar stores are.
Research manager Michelle Royes knows that increasing regulation would not stop domestic violence, but believes it could minimise harm when it occurs.
"We want good exclusion approaches, so if you're at home and you're making choices for yourself not to buy alcohol online, you can easily do that," Ms Royes said.
Ms Royes is also concerned that the onus for responsible service is on delivery drivers.
"It doesn't make sense to us that the most vulnerable person in the chain, from the shop to the company that sells alcohol, that responsibility falls on the person that knocks on the door," she said.
Sticking with tradition
Lyal Midgley owns and operates nine independent bottle shops across south-east Queensland.
He built the business on providing a boutique experience for customers in-store.
"We prefer to have a good offering in-store," Mr Midgley said.
"It's a lot more rewarding and it's a really good way for us to be competitive against the Woolworths and Coles mobs because we can give that personalised service."
Mr Midgley has chosen to keep his home delivery options limited to ensure drinks are arriving safely in the right hands.
"I certainly think there must be a lot of challenges, because how do you drop off alcohol at a door, does it even get to the right person? Do kids get it?
"I have got massive concerns that they [delivery drivers] should at the very least have RSAs — all our staff have RSAs."
Submissions to the consultation close on June 23.
