Hundreds march for liquor law reform

Photo / Northern Advocate

Hundreds have turned out to a liquor law reform march in South Auckland, despite the wet weather.

Protestors marched from all parts of Manukau and gathered in Manukau Square.

Politicians, including Labour Party leader Phil Goff, have been addressing the crowd.

He called on the Government to translate the Law Commission's report on alcohol law into legislation.

The report says the prevalence of alcohol, its low cost and unbridled promotion has seen a culture of excessive drinking get out of hand over the past couple of decades and recommends a thorough overhaul of the current laws.

Mr Goff said the report provided a once in a lifetime opportunity to take a course of action that would reduce the level of alcohol abuse in the country.

"I say to the Government, why not bring in a bill to Parliament that includes all of the recommendations of the Law Commission report and put that to the public of New Zealand to make their voices heard on it and then make a decision that is evidence-based on what we need to do about alcohol abuse."

Mr Goff also called for government support for Labour MP Darren Hughes' bill intended to lower the legal blood alcohol level for drivers from 0.8 to 0.6 grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

National Party MP Dr Paul Hutchinson said the Government was taking the report "very seriously" and was looking at all of its 153 recommendations.

Manurewa councillor Daniel Newman says people want proper reform and action - not more debate.

He said if the issue was not addressed properly, it would become an election issue in 2011.

March organisers put the turnout at between 500 and 800.

Major Campbell Roberts of the Salvation Army, which helped to organise the rally, said the Government needed to stand up against an alcohol industry that had an inappropriate influence on decision-makers.

"We're worried that the decisive and determined support that we expected from politicians for these excellent Law Commission recommendations has not been decisive and determined, it's been dithering and duck shoving," he said.

The Government will announce a package of reforms next month.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA