5. Hon JIM ANDERTON (Leader—Progressive) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Health
How many times in 2009 did he meet with representatives of the liquor industry and what were the dates of these meetings?
Hon PETER DUNNE (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
During 2009 I met with representatives of the liquor industry four times: on 5 May, on 27 May, on 5 August, and on 7 September. I also attended three functions sponsored by representatives of the wider liquor and hospitality industries. In contrast, I met with officials and non - industry-related groups on a mere 41 occasions.
Did he have any concerns as the Associate Minister of Health in charge of the Government’s alcohol policy that there could be a perception that he was overindulgent to the liquor lobby by meeting with them four times in 4 months and being hosted by them on a further three occasions over 6 months?
I would have thought, on the basis of the figures I gave, that the concern that could be expressed was that I was paying less attention than I should to their interests.
When his private health secretary wrote to Professor Doug Sellman, Professor of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, Director of the National Addiction Centre, and expert psychiatrist on the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs that he would not agree to meet with Professor Sellman because “he was aware of his thoughts on alcohol”, is he seriously suggesting that he was not aware of the thoughts of the alcohol industry when he met with them on seven occasions at the same time?
I am well aware of Professor Sellman’s views—indeed, they were stated on television last night—that alcohol should be treated as a class B drug and that people should not drink at weddings. I meet with a lot of people on alcohol-related matters over a range of issues. I have met with people from the United Nations drug and alcohol programme and the World Health Organization’s global alcohol strategy. I have visited various treatment facilities up and down this country. I have actually worked in this field for over 30 years.
If the Minister understands Professor Sellman’s thoughts on alcohol so well, could he comment on Professor Sellman’s 5+ Solution and on the speech entitled “Ten things the Alcohol Industry won’t tell you about Alcohol”, which was recently presented in 38 public meetings held throughout New Zealand?
I am well aware of the 5+ Solution. I cannot recall the precise details of the ten things that he alleges the industry will not tell people, but the presentations are widely available. I have read them frequently.
Hon Lianne Dalziel Link to this
Is it correct as reported that he was “amused” by the doctors’ and nurses’ support for the 5+ Solution; if so, what is funny about 1,000 alcohol related deaths each year, or is he underplaying it because the statement identifies that the tactics being employed by the liquor industry are the same as those used by the tobacco industry?
I am not underplaying in any way the social and economic consequences of the misuse of alcohol. Indeed, I spent last Saturday evening out with the Wellington Central police and at the Wellington Regional Hospital emergency department, viewing those very things.
Hon Lianne Dalziel Link to this
I seek leave to table An historic opportunity to change New Zealand’s heavy drinking culture: A public statement by the Doctors and Nurses of New Zealand, supporting the 5+ Solution.
Mr SPEAKERI seek leave to table Ten Things the Alcohol Industry Won’t Tell You about Alcohol and the 5+ Solution, prepared by Professor Sellman.