Alcohol review needed but horse has already bolted
Alcohol review needed but horse has already bolted
An Auckland business association has said
the Law Commission’s recommendations to Parliament on
alcohol issues will struggle to make a real difference. It
claims the horse has already bolted, and points out it was
in fact Sir Geoffrey Palmer’s government that gave us the
failed liquor legislation to start with.
“Over the past two decades the Sale
of Liquor Act has allowed for hard liquor to be sold on
almost any suburban street corner. The huge growth we’ve
seen in the number of discount liquor outlets has been a
major cause of the problems. Police will tell you that many
of the problems stem from readily available and widespread
access to alcohol.
“Tweaking the
purchase age, opening hours, advertising guidelines, or the
product cost will make no real difference. The damage has
already been done. In recent years society has seen a
proliferation of off-licenses with the number of cheap and
nasty bottle stores multiplying. It’s not the hours, age,
advertising, or cost. It’s simply the fact that
off-licenses have been allowed to set up anywhere and
everywhere, and they have.
“It’s
ironic that the President of the Law Commission, Sir
Geoffrey Palmer, charged with fixing the Sale of Liquor Act
was Prime Minister when the legislation took effect in 1989.
“In the past two decades the Liquor
Licensing Authority has been forced to work within the
confines of the legislation and subsequently marginal
applications have been issued with licences every day of the
week. Low-rent bottle stores have sprung up all over the
place and the Sale of Liquor Act prevented community outrage
from being considered. I’m pleased communities will now be
heard.
“Cheap and nasty bottle
stores have been allowed on almost any suburban corner, and
a subsequent 1999 amendment even allowed them to open on a
Sunday. They will sadly remain a big part of the problem.
“Penalising every licensed business
and responsible social drinker is tough when you consider
Parliament alone was the architect of our failed liquor
legislation. Hospitality businesses have had a difficult
couple years. Today’s report will only really penalise the
good operators and the sensible drinkers. Sadly those that
are causing harm will continue to do just that,” says
Cameron Brewer.
ENDS