NEWS - Industry push to address underage delivery

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.