LION has taken home the 2026 Best Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative at the Australian Drinks Awards. The award recognises Safe Pathways, LION's response to domestic and family abuse.
A complete response to domestic and family abuse
Domestic and family abuse is a significant issue across Australia and New Zealand, with one woman killed every nine days by a current or former partner. Safe Pathways is a holistic response to domestic abuse, one that recognises that abuse isn't only physical, extending support to those experiencing coercive control, financial abuse and technology-facilitated abuse.
The initiative includes emergency accommodation, loan mobile phones, uncapped domestic abuse leave, financial and confidential banking support, and specialist referral pathways. Team members and leaders can also access training through Respect at LION Champions, a network upskilled as first responders for colleagues who disclose abuse. The response also extends to people who may be using abusive behaviour, with accountability measures and referral pathways for behaviour change support.
Built with input from LION's own people and outside experts
The initiative was shaped by the lived experience of LION team members, alongside consultation with Workplace Relations and operational teams, a former police officer on safety and support pathways, specialist service Full Stop Australia, and domestic abuse advocate Jess Hill, who joined an all-company event with LION's Chief People Officer. Pride in Diversity and Pride at LION were consulted to develop LGBTQI+-specific resources.
It culminated in the August 2025 launch of the Domestic Abuse Support Network, a confidential peer support group founded by LION team members with lived experience of domestic abuse. The virtual launch event reached 210 attendees across Australia and New Zealand, with a 4.85 out of 5 participant satisfaction rating.
Real uptake, not just a policy on paper
LION links Safe Pathways to a rise in company-wide belonging: its Belonging Score climbed to 81%, up seven points year-on-year, and 95% of employees now report feeling safe at work. Beyond the survey results, the policy is being used in practice, through uncapped domestic abuse leave, emergency accommodation, loan mobile phones and other practical support. A growing network of Respect at LION Champions has been trained across the business as first responders for colleagues who need to reach out.
The judging panel was impressed by the:
- strength of the connection between the initiative and genuine employee safety and belonging, backed by real usage metrics rather than awareness alone.
- decision to extend accountability and referral pathways to people who may be using abusive behaviour, alongside support for those experiencing it.
- broadened definition of abuse that explicitly recognised coercive control, financial abuse and technology-facilitated abuse, not just physical violence.
- depth of consultation behind the initiative, drawing on the lived experience of LION's own people as well as external experts and specialist services.
- program that went well beyond a standard compliance-driven policy, with uptake that showed people were actually using the support on offer.
- potential to be replicated across other organisations and the wider drinks industry.
Claire Lauber, Chief Executive, presented the award on behalf of sponsor, Coles Liquor, saying:
"Coles Liquor is proud to sponsor the Best DE&I Initiative Award, recognising the organisations building workplaces where every person can contribute and belong. Diverse teams drive better outcomes for business, for customers and for our industry as a whole. This award celebrates the truly impactful work happening across our industry.”
An impressive night of wins for LION
Best Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative was one of five award wins for LION on the night. The business also took home Best Wellbeing Initiative, back-to-back wins for Supplier of the Year and the Category Management Award, and Best New Product Innovation in the Beer category for Stone & Wood Radler.
"We're incredibly proud to see Safe Pathways recognised because it reflects what matters to us, creating a workplace where people feel safe and supported at work and beyond,” said Sarah Abbott, LION’s Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. “Domestic and family abuse impacts every community, including workplaces, and we believe employers have an important role to play. This recognition belongs to the team members who shared their lived experience and helped make meaningful support available when it's needed most."
There was a total of 16 awards handed out at the 14th Annual Australian Drinks Awards, hosted by Edwina Bartholomew. The awards recognise achievement and excellence in the drinks industry, including three Contribution to Industry Awards: Best Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, Best Wellbeing Initiative and Best Environmental Sustainability Initiative.
The Drinks Association congratulates Category One Member LION on winning the 2026 Best Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative Award.
Coles Liquor is a Retail Partner of the Drinks Association.
The Drinks Association would like to thank its generous sponsors for this year's event.
