NEWS
INDUSTRY PUSH TO ADDRESS UNDERAGE DELIVERY
HAVE YOUR SAY: UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES Have you experienced unfair trade practices during your time in the liquor industry, whether working in the on- or off-premise? One retailer has been so shocked at the recent treatment he has experienced that he turned to the ACCC to question the trade practices that he witnessed. He was told that in order to build a case for the ACCC to investigate he needed submissions from other people in the industry to support his claims. As a result this retailer has set up a webpage to seek submissions from others in the industry, which can be done anonymously, and which they will collate with a law firm and then submit to the relevant authorities. The retailer said: “We have some ongoing issues around trade practices, which we were absolutely stunned by. So what we did was we started up a blog and it’s quite incredible how many people are being affected by things like this out there. “We’ve spoken to several Government departments and Federal politicians about this and they have told us, ‘build up the case and we will take it to the next step’. They are prepared to take anonymous submissions and we have put some of the things that people have told us onto the blog in order to stir up the trade’s interest in this.” The blog states: “We are aware of unlawful or inappropriate trade practices in our industry that should be investigated by the authorities. The current royal commission into the financial sector highlights the kinds of misconduct that took place in an industry for many years before being surfaced and then openly addressed. “Realising that we would not be the only ones suffering misconduct within our own industry, we invite other retailers from any industry who have been subject to similar conduct to contact us on a confidential basis.” The blog lists several possible unfair trade practices which retailers and venue operators may have experienced, and if you have experienced anything like those, or other unfair practices, then you are encouraged to make your submissions to help action be taken. Full details can be found on the Unfair Practices blog page.
10 | MARCH 2019 NATIONAL LIQUOR NEWS
With news that governments and authorities are investigating online alcohol delivery and the ability of those underage to obtain alcohol, two of the major players have highlighted their RSA credentials and want to help the industry ensure any loopholes are, and remain, closed. Last month the Daily Telegraph claimed that underage teens are using online home-delivery services to buy alcohol, but both Tipple and Jimmy Brings have said they have strong RSA processes in place to ensure this does not happen. Nathan Besser, Co-Founder and CEO of Jimmy Brings, said: “We would like to think that Jimmy Brings is best in class in this particular area. We have developed a number of technological and manual RSA policies that are above and beyond anything required by legislation. “Some of these policies include constant refresher training for drivers via their delivery app, and all our drivers must have their RSA and must have completed our own RSA training. “We also have data intelligence around frequency of shopping, so if there are multiple orders in a day to one place our system catches this kind of at-risk behaviour and we take action.” Tipple is another on-demand or express alcohol delivery service operating in NSW and Victoria, and Director Matt Walsh said: “Through the implementation of its own self-regulatory framework, Tipple has ensured the demands of consumers are met in a way that provides a best case example of responsible home delivery and could form part of a broader industry standard for ondemand or express alcohol delivery. “Tipple’s self-regulatory framework and experience can help set the standard for alcohol delivery services in NSW, and we would welcome – and be pleased to contribute to – a review of the current regulatory framework.” That promise of collaboration is a point Besser agrees with, given what Jimmy Brings has learned and developed over its five years in operation. National Liquor News contacted CUB, who is currently offering a free delivery service via eBay, with a spokesperson saying: “We use Australia Post’s e-commerce delivery service for eBay deliveries. They have a fullycompliant liquor delivery service, which is why we have engaged them. This includes ID checks.” A spokesperson for Liquor & Gaming NSW told the Daily Telegraph that there are measures in place in NSW to regulate online delivery and that this would be a focus for the regulator in 2019.
