Liquor legislation changes go before House

Simon Power. Photo / Getty Images

Legislation that will enact the Government's proposed liquor law changes has been introduced to Parliament and Justice Minister Simon Power says it is just the starting point for reform.

The Alcohol Reform Bill is to have its first reading on Thursday, then will go to a select committee for public submissions.

The previously announced proposals include splitting the alcohol buying age - it will be 18 for bars and 20 for off-licences - limiting the alcohol content of ready-to-drink spirit mixes (RTDs), banning particularly harmful products, reducing opening hours and putting new rules around the supply of liquor to minors.

"This package is merely Parliament's starting point for reform and we'll be listening carefully to the public through the select committee process," Mr Power said yesterday.

"This Government sees overhauling our alcohol laws as a priority, particularly for addressing the drivers of crime because alcohol is a major lubricant for offending."

Mr Power said that to limit the availability of alcohol, licences would be harder to get and easier to lose, buying alcohol at corner dairies would end when current licences expired, and local communities would have more say on the concentration, location and opening hours of alcohol outlets in their area.

The Government plans to investigate a minimum-price regime for drinks but doesn't have the evidence it needs to do that now.

"We've given retailers a year to provide sales and price data and if they're not forthcoming then we'll consider regulating to obtain it," Mr Power said.

The bill will replace the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 and change parts of the Summary Offences Act 1981, the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989 and the Local Government Act 2002.

"Legislation alone won't turn around our binge-drinking culture but it can help us develop a more moderate one through controls on availability and a focus on youth."

The Labour Party said the bill would be "hugely disappointing" to those who had expected a once-in-a-generation chance to substantially reduce the harm alcohol caused.

National MPs will have conscience votes only on the proposed change to the purchasing age.

- NZPA