ID reminder for liquor outlets

A BENDIGO Community Health Services audit has revealed a number of liquor outlets have been selling alcohol without asking for identification.

The organisation’s latest supply monitoring audit involved “a number of people appearing ‘under-age’” attempting to purchase alcohol from 30 stores.

According to BSHS, 11 outlets sold alcohol without asking for identification, one sold alcohol even after the purchaser said they didn’t have identification, and 18 refused to sell alcohol without seeing proof of age.

Health promotion and community engagement officer at BCHS Valier Nkala said it’s an improvement from the last audit, however the results are a reminder for stores to remain vigilant about not serving alcohol to those under 18.

“We are seeing more outlets asking for identification in this cycle compared to the pre intervention stage in 2021,” she said.

“Wearing of face coverings could also explain the high number in the previous cycle, as faces were often hidden,” Ms Nkala said.

Twenty-nine percent of chain outlets, 67 per cent of independent outlets and 70 per cent of franchise outlets did not ask for ID.

“Franchise and independent stores are still falling behind, both having high numbers of stores who sold alcohol without asking for ID,” Ms Nkala said.

Seventy per cent of the audited stores displayed alcohol law signage, however of these 38 per cent did not request any identification.