Justice Minister side-lining real alcohol reform

The Government is using the smokescreen of a conscience vote on the drinking age to hide the fact it is failing to tackle the real causes of alcohol-related harm, says Labour’s Associate Justice Spokesperson Lianne Dalziel.

“There’s no way that 18 and 19-year-olds are causing all the problems we are confronted with today. Just tackling the age isn’t going to cut it when it comes to real alcohol reform.

“The Law Commission has laid out a comprehensive proposal for change but the Minister has failed to adopt many of the recommendations that would make a real difference.

“We must deal with the issue of easy access to cheap alcohol and the normalisation of alcohol, reinforced by clever marketing and a drink driving limit that lets people drive when they are intoxicated. None of these issues are addressed in the proposed legislation.

“Judith Collins says we shouldn’t punish the vast majority of New Zealanders who don’t drink to excess.  My point is they are already paying.

“How many people have to wait to be seen because our Emergency Departments are clogged up with people affected by or injured as a result of alcohol-related behaviour?  How many elective operations have to be put off because of alcohol-related accidents?

“How many people cannot get the police to come to their house after a burglary when they are busy in town dealing with people who are intoxicated?  How many times do police get called to a domestic violence incident and find that it is fuelled by alcohol? How many days do people take off work because they are hungover from the night before, leaving their workmates to carry the burden?

“Law reform on its own certainly cannot provide the total solution. We as a nation have to be prepared to contribute by changing our attitude towards alcohol.

“But the Government must lead the way by promoting law reform that is evidence-based and can make a real difference.

“I’m sick of hearing people say they don’t want their cities awash with drunken people causing trouble, hurting each other and damaging property. Yet those same people are the first to say ‘don’t take away my right to buy cheap alcohol in the most convenient way’. We can’t have it both ways.

“The Minister must have the courage to do what is right not just what is popular,” said Lianne Dalziel.