Wednesday, 14 September 2005

Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader

Do Brash, Dunne want to protect us from vodka-supplying child-molesters?

Because the leaders of National and Untied Future voted against Progressive's Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction Amendment Bill, they should set out their alternative proposals to protect young teenagers and children against predators, says Progressive MP Matt Robson.

"On page three of today's New Zealand Herald there is a story about a businessman accused of sexually abusing boys aged between nine and sixteen between March 2000 and March 2005, the Progressive MP said. "In a police summary of facts, the newspaper reports that it was alleged that the businessman would ply the boys with alcohol, takeaways, junk food and cannabis.

"I of course do not want to comment at all about this individual case which is before the courts, but I note that the charges being brought include supplying cannabis, blackmail, exhibiting objectionable publications to minors, sexual violation and so on and so forth.

“But the there is no charge being brought of supplying alcohol to the child victims," Matt Robson said. "I have been told by public health and public safety officials that New Zealand's existing law against the inappropriate supply of alcohol to minors is completely inadequate to protect our vulnerable young teenagers and children from monsters.

Section 160 of the Sale of Liquor Act has a huge loophole, allowing alcohol to be supplied to minors at any ‘private social function’ - a term which is not defined in statute and which case law has find to allow all sorts of outrages.

"The Progressive Party Bill seeks to strengthen the law against those caught inappropriately supply liquor to minors, to raise the alcohol purchasing age to twenty and to restrict TV broadcast liquor advertising," the Progressive MP said.

"The leaders of the National, United Future, ACT and Green parties all voted against my Bill even proceeding to Select Committee where the public can have their say.

"The leaders of National and United Future have a duty to explain to the public what their alternative proposals to protect young people where alcohol has been used as a weapon against them," Matt Robson said. He wants to return to Parliament to progress his Bill which would address alcohol harm to young people. To do that, Progressive needs 1.3% of the Party Vote - up from 1.0% in today’s poll.

ENDS

© Scoop Media