Dairies to protest liquor rules

Small retailers will march on Parliament in force tomorrow as they protest a bill that would prevent the sale of alcohol at small stores.

The Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill was introduced to Parliament in August last year by the Labour government and passed its first reading in Parliament in March.

The bill aims to clamp down on alcohol sales in communities , and gives councils authority to draft alcohol management plans that set restrictions on the number of outlets in their area, and where they can be sited.

It would also eventually prevent the sale of alcohol at some stores with a floor area of less than 150sq/m, but will allow three years to comply with conditions.

New Zealand Association of Dairies, Groceries and Small Businesses president Naginbhai Patel said members of the association would march to Parliament protesting the bill at 1pm tomorrow, and would present a petition to MPs.

- NZPA