Kathleen Arnold, 30, was found dead by her mother in their Heidelberg home on September 16, 2023, after consuming at least one bottle of wine and half a bottle of vodka.Â
At the time, Ms Arnold had been sober for about four days, but a post-mortem found she had a blood alcohol level of at least 0.54, coroner Ingrid Giles said in her report.
Ms Arnold's mother Jennifer Martin told the coroner her daughter had engaged with multiple alcohol and drug services, and was able to reduce her drinking for periods.
But easy access to alcohol through delivery platforms meant she could not maintain her sobriety.
The investigation into Ms Arnold's access to alcohol via delivery service revealed she purchased 319 alcohol-based products in the six months before her death.
Ms Arnold had a complex history of mental health issues and substance misuse since she was an early teen and went to hospital about 50 times for a myriad of issues.
Ms Giles on Tuesday recommended a curfew for alcohol deliveries between 10pm and 10am, a two-hour delay between orders, and for the state government to develop a new action plan to address alcohol-related harms.
"The circumstances in which Kathleen died, tragically illustrate the consequences of Victorians being able to have alcohol delivered to them swiftly, easily, and late at night," Ms Giles said.
"This is an area where relatively straightforward reform has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of harms associated with alcohol accessed via delivery provider platforms."
Ms Arnold's mother had raised the issue of alcohol delivery with their local MP in mid-2022 after she was able to get alcohol delivered outside of legislated hours, in excessive limits and without proper ID screening, including times while she was connected to medical equipment.
The Liquor Control Victoria inspector also found two restaurants supplied her with alcohol in volumes exceeding delivery restrictions, with one also supplying outside its licensed hours.
Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association chief executive Chris Christoforou said his organisation had seen a 50 per cent increase in demand for alcohol treatment since the boom of delivery services stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Given the gap in regulatory controls and the growth in these services, people that do have chronic dependence issues, like Kathleen, the consequences are that they fall through the gaps," he said.
However, Mr Christoforou doesn't think banning the services is the way to go, preferring better regulation and more education.
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education chief executive Caterina Giorgi urged the government to act, saying families shouldn't have to plead with governments to help them.
"Right now, every phone is a bottle shop and alcohol can be delivered into people's homes within 30 minutes, so the odds are stacked against people who are trying to make a change," she said.
Retail Drinks, which represents liquor retailers and delivery apps, said a two-hour delay won't have an impact, citing a 2023 Frontier Economics report which found most online alcohol sales and deliveries occurred in non-same day environment.
"What this tragedy demonstrates is the importance of ensuring strong, holistic wrap-around support services, especially for individuals that have a known history of substance misuse and abuse," chief executive Michael Waters said.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said she and Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt would consider the coroner's findings and recommendations.
