Kiwis caught flat-footed this weekend by patronising rules around alcohol should make a submission on legislation currently being considered by Parliament’s Justice Committee, says ACT MP Cameron Luxton.

“This Friday and Sunday, pubgoers will have to order a ‘substantial meal’ just to have a wine or beer. There’s also an arbitrary ban on buying a drink more than an hour before or after eating.

“Then there’s the total ban on off-licence alcohol sales. Even grocery stores that are allowed to open on Easter can’t sell alcohol, forcing people to stock up for supplies on the Thursday and Saturday.

“So many Kiwis are fed up with being treated like children, and I know hospitality staff hate having to enforce the silly rules. I’ve been campaigning for Easter freedom for a while now, and finally, a bill to ditch the alcohol rules has passed first reading – but its future is uncertain.

“If you’re sick of being denied choice on Easter, I’d strongly urge you to make an online submission in support of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill.

“I’ll be making a submission myself, and I’ll be lobbying my colleagues across Parliament to support the legislation into law.

“The government shouldn’t get to choose your values. Whether Easter means going to church or having a pint, that should be up to you.”

Note: Cameron Luxton previously had a member’s bill drawn from Parliament’s ballot to reform both alcohol restrictions and wider shop trading restrictions. Luxton’s bill was voted down, so he and ACT are now leading the campaign in support of Kieran McAnulty’s narrower bill.

A video of Cameron Luxton's speech on the Bill is available here.

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