Not-for-profit remote store operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) has welcomed a decision that allows it to restrict the sale of zero or alcohol-like drinks to persons under the age of 18 in its stores across the Torres Strait, Cape York Peninsula, Doomadgee and Palm Island.
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) decision applies for the next five years and permits CEQ to:
- restrict sales of alcohol-like drinks to adults only (18+)
- place signage in stores advising that these products are not for sale to minors
- request photo identification where there is doubt about a customer’s age.
These alcohol-like products include zero versions of beer, wine and spirits, which are often branded, packaged and marketed in a way that closely resembles their alcoholic counterparts.
CEQ Nutrition and Health Manager Melinda Hammond said the outcome reflects strong community support and expert advice.
“We welcome QCAT’s decision, which gives CEQ the ability to restrict the sale of zero or alcohol-like drinks to people under the age of 18 in all our stores for the next five years,” Ms Hammond said.
“This outcome reflects the strong feedback we received from our communities, where parents, Elders, and young people themselves told us these products should not be available to children.
“The decision also aligns with expert public health advice that alcohol-like drinks can look, taste and be marketed like alcohol, which risks normalising alcohol consumption among young people.
“By putting these restrictions in place, CEQ is taking a precautionary and proactive step to protect the health and wellbeing of children in the communities we serve.
“This is an important outcome for communities and reinforces our vision of Caring, Every Day, Always.”
CEQ’s application was informed by wide community consultation across the regions in which it operates.
Of the 85 stakeholders consulted, 84 supported restricting sales of alcohol-like drinks to minors.
The application was also supported by leading health and law experts from the Menzies School of Health Research and the University of Melbourne, who recommended a precautionary approach due to the lack of evidence that these products are safe for children.
This decision builds on a similar exemption previously granted to 7-Eleven stores by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
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About CEQ
CEQ is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for providing goods and essential services to the Torres Strait, Cape York Peninsula and in Doomadgee and on Palm Island through its 31 stores. Of all the remote team members employed at CEQ, 90 per cent identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
CEQ manages Islanders Board of Industry and Service (IBIS) and Aboriginal Business, Industry and Service (ABIS) stores, as well as other stores including Col Jones, Mona’s Bazaar and Mitre 10 on Waibene and Community Home & Hardware in Bamaga.
For more information on CEQ, visit www.ceqld.org.au
