Govt out of step on alcohol reform

The National Government is out of step with the majority of New Zealanders over alcohol reform says Jim Anderton, MP for Wigram and Progressive Party leader. “The mood of the country towards alcohol abuse is changing but it is being led by the public and the media, not the government”.

In a speech against today’s first reading of the Alcohol Reform Bill, Jim Anderton read out a nine point plan on how to create a major social problem in New Zealand to illustrate how out of step our current liquor laws are. The plan detailed all of the current issues New Zealand faces with alcohol abuse and highlighted the government’s lack of leadership and action towards reforming New Zealand’s drinking culture* (see note on page two).

“Why does this government have difficulty accepting alcohol is a drug?,” says Jim Anderton. “In a week where our country was shamed by boozy revellers at Eden Park, our government is showing resistance towards informed public opinion. Getting wasted shouldn’t be an ambition to which New Zealanders aspire”.

In spite of worrying statistics that one in every five Kiwis are drinking heavily, the government has chosen to steer away from New Zealand and International expert advice, despite volumes of supporting evidence.

“Heavy drinking affects the combined population of Wellington and Christchurch and is costing this country billions every year. You’d think the government would be sitting up and taking notice, yet this bill is a recipe for the status quo – which is a recipe for more disaster”.

The Alcohol Reform Bill does not adequately address price, raising the drinking age, accessibility to alcohol, advertising and marketing, or drink driving, all of which are major contributors to New Zealand’s heavy drinking problem.

“This week, organisers of Christchurch’s NZ Cup Day implemented a simple wrist band scheme that was removed from patrons thought to be intoxicated. This would have been unheard of five years ago. It shows the public are willing to change entrenched drinking habits but the government is displaying political cowardice by refusing to give leadership on this critical issue of alcohol abuse.

“You have to seriously ask the question, what is the National Party getting from the Liquor Industry that prevents it taking the obvious and necessary steps to seriously address the widespread demand from New Zealanders for genuine liquor reform”, says Jim Anderton.

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