Government delay on Alcohol Reform Bill puzzling

National is trying to avoid debating the hard issues on alcohol reform, says Labour’s Associate Justice spokesperson, Lianne Dalziel.

“The Government is not willing to engage on the issues that most affect communities. Its Local Alcohol Policies are a watered down version of Labour’s Local Alcohol Plans – and come with a significant delay.

“Community concerns about having a say could have been resolved two years ago when Labour’s Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill was reported back from the select committee. However, National ditched this to introduce its own Bill.

“Had Labour’s Bill been passed every council in the country could have had its own plans in place by now. And communities could have had a real say about reducing the social impact that has come with the proliferation of outlets in their community.

“Labour’s Bill was introduced at the same time as we referred the hard issues to the Law Commission. The 3000 submissions they received highlight the level of public concern. We asked them to write a Bill so it could be considered by Parliament.  National put a stop to that.

“Labour’s bill was picked up by National after the election, referred to the select committee and submissions were made in good faith, showing there was widespread support for the development of local alcohol plans.

“But for the sake of avoiding the Law Commission’s recommendations, it was scrapped by National.

"To compensate for this weaker legislation Labour MPs have been forced to introduce a number of SOPs over the last few weeks, and ironically, Judith Collins has criticised us for stalling the process.

“Our SOPs, coupled with the retention of the conscience vote, have allowed a debate to occur that the government wants to shut down, and have ensured that the debate has reflected the groundswell of public opinion that wants real change in the law,” Lianne Dalziel said.

SOPS introduced by Labour MPs

Iain Lees-Galloway SOP 91 Restrictions on advertising: ban billboard and poster advertising within 300 metres of all schools, creating a 9 pm watershed for alcohol advertising, and restricting alcohol advertising in cinemas, and at public screenings of films, to those films with an R18 rating. Also introduce an interdepartmental committee to consider future changes.

David Clark SOP 115  Restricts a specific form of advertising that is primarily targeted to young people.

Louisa Wall SOP 107 Ban off-licences within 1 kilometre of schools unless permitted by Local Alcohol Policies.

Andrew Little SOP 110 Restriction on trading hours for off-licences.

Lianne Dalziel SOP 113 Regulation making power for minimum pricing

Charles Chauvel SOP 109  making local alcohol policies mandatory

Su’a William Sio SOP 111 Schools within 3km to be notified of licence application so can have their say

Iain Lees-Galloway SOP 91 Ban discount & price promotion

Goff SOP 122 Require regulation to ban sale of RTDs where contain more than 5% alcohol and more than 1.5 standard drinks

Sue Moroney SOP 114 Regulate for health risk warning on labels including warning for pregnant women and nutritional information panel requirements

Maryan Street SOP 112 Regulate for off-licence health levy

David Clark SOP 108 Removing excise tax on low alcohol beverages

Iain Lees-Galloway SOP 40 New Part 11 Amendment to Land Transport Act 1998 lower Blood alcohol levels

Phil Twyford SOP 138 Commencement date - Enabling Territorial Authorities to commence work immediately on their local alcohol plans for early implementation