New Liquor Control laws to give parents extra responsibilities in bid to curb underage drinking

YOUNG people will no longer be able to have a drink at a licensed premises when dining with their parents, with new underage drinking laws also set to change parents’ responsibilities at home.

YOUNG people will no longer be able to have a drink at a licensed premises when dining with their parents, with new underage drinking laws also set to change parents’ responsibilities at home.

Parents hosting underage parties will be forced to police underage drinking from today, as new laws are introduced in Victoria.

Changes to Victoria’s Liquor Control Reform Act mean parents now need to assess the quantity and type of alcohol being consumed, as well as checking whether the teenager has eaten and whether they are intoxicated, when events are held at their home.

Until now, adults could supply alcohol to other children if they have consent from the child’s parents, but there were few details about the expectations of this arrangement.

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VicHealth principle program officer for alcohol and tobacco Maya Rivis, a mother of two teenage children, said the new laws would help protect young people from alcohol-related harm.

New research from the peak health promotion body found just over a third of parents surveyed knew that it was best to avoid giving teenagers alcohol to protect them from harm.

“The national guidelines say it’s best for anyone under the age of 18 not to drink,” Ms Rivis said.

New laws have been brought in to counter underage drinking at private parties.

“A large part of that is because their brain is still developing.

“Alcohol is a mind-altering drug, so we need to be careful with how we supply it.”

The survey also found 60 per cent of parents say there is no circumstance where other parents should supply alcohol to their underage child.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to who has older kids, say they just want clarity,” Ms Rivis said.

“Being a parent is really hard. There is no rule book for us, but these amendments will guide parents when they’re hosting a party and alcohol is available.”

In addition to getting permission from other parents to supply alcohol, the hosting parent must also take into account the child’s age when supplying alcohol, the time period over which the drinks are supplied and make sure the young people are supervised.

The laws are aimed at protecting our youth from alcohol-related harm.

Other changes to the Act make it an offence for alcohol delivery companies to supply grog to teens, with those caught facing fines of up to $19,000.

Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz said the aim of the changes was to protect youth from alcohol-related harm.

“We know the negative impact that alcohol can have on young people — that’s why we’ve introduced these changes,” Ms Kairouz said.

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