Show some spine, say Greens

The Government should show some spine over proposed liquor law changes, and adopt a stronger and more comprehensive approach, the Green Party said today.

“While we support the steps the Government is proposing to take and will be voting for the legislation, we will be fighting tooth and nail to amend and strengthen it—particularly around advertising and price—to make it more comprehensive”, Green Party alcohol spokesperson Sue Kedgley said.

“Parliament must share some of the blame for our heavy drinking culture.

“Politicians have succumbed to the influence of big liquor and progressively liberalised our drinking laws.

“Alcohol is now sold in virtually every dairy and supermarket in the land, day and night in bars and clubs, and all the while politicians have refused to regulate the marketing of alcohol. 

"Having contributed significantly to our drinking culture, Parliament has a unique opportunity, backed by huge public support, to rectify past mistakes.

"We cannot allow the vested interests of the liquor and hospitality industries to take precedence, once again, over the health and well-being of New Zealanders."

"The health and well-being of New Zealanders should always take precedence over the interests of the alcohol and hospitality industries,” Ms Kedgley said.

Ms Kedgley said the Green Party was particularly concerned that the legislation failed to address the two issues—price and the saturation advertising of alcohol—which would have the biggest impact in reducing our heavy drinking culture.

“Amendments to address price and advertising can easily be added to the legislation and we will be seeking to do this.

"70 percent of liquor is now sold in supermarkets, and we will be pushing amendments that will prevent supermarkets from selling alcohol below cost,” Ms Kedgley said.

Ms Kedgley said she could not understand why the John Key’s Government was being timid when the majority of the almost 3000 submissions received by the Law Commission—the most submissions in their history—argued for stronger alcohol laws.

"Surely National’s polling is telling them that New Zealanders are fed up with the damage our heavy drinking culture is causing and want radical changes to our drinking laws.

 Ms Kedgley said there was no point in Parliament seeking to scapegoat or blame youth over the binge drinking culture.

“Clearly it’s not just the youth—92 percent of problem drinkers are aged over 20. This is an issue that New Zealanders of all ages need to face up to,” Ms Kedgley said.