Alcohol Advisory Council Press Release Friday 2 March 2004
ALAC welcomes changes to Sale of Liquor Act
The Alcohol Advisory Council has welcomed legislation confirming the legality of operations using underage teenagers to
test liquor licensing laws.
Controlled Purchase Operations (CPOs) are carried out by police and public health officials who send underage volunteers
into licensed premises in an attempt to buy alcohol. Doubts were raised last year about the legality of the operations.
Parliament yesterday passed the Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill No 2 that removes any doubt over the legality of the CPOs.
The bill now goes to the Governor General for the royal assent before becoming law.
“CPOs are an extremely valuable enforcement tool for ensuing compliance with the Liquor Licensing Act,” says ALAC Chief
Executive Officer Dr Mike MacAvoy.
“We know that communities throughout the country who are concerned about youth drinking and youth access to alcohol have
been keen to use the CPOs, and this legislation gives them the green light.”
ALAC is producing a set of Guidelines for communities who wish to run a CPO. The Guidelines will be available within the
next month, says Dr MacAvoy.
Ends
For further information contact ALAC CEO Dr Mike MacAvoy on 04 917 0060.