5. LYNNE PILLAY (Labour—Waitakere) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Justice
What action is the Government planning to ensure communities have a real say in liquor licensing decisions?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Associate Minister of Justice) Link to this
Among the law changes that are being proposed, we intend to give local councils and their communities real teeth to establish plans that include setting things like opening hours, one-way door policies, limitations on outlet density, and proximity to other premises like schools. Communities have made it clear that they want a say in licensing decisions, and we intend to introduce a bill to allow just that, which is why that proposal has been so warmly welcomed all around New Zealand.
Has the Government considered taking measures to prevent activities that may promote excessive consumption of alcohol or binge drinking?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
Parliament considered this issue in 1999, when I moved an amendment to make it an offence to promote excessive alcohol consumption on licensed premises. Prominent MPs on the other side of the House voted against the amendment, including Bill English, Gerry Brownlee, the then Minister of Justice Tony Ryall, and, surprisingly, Pansy Wong. Fortunately, good sense prevailed and the amendment was passed. I am surprised that some of the people who say they support stronger measures today did not support even that most basic measure to limit binge drinking just a few years ago.
Simon PowerWhy, when a review of alcohol issues that was commissioned in 2006 included in its terms of reference the number of alcohol outlets, is this matter now being further kicked to touch to the Law Commission?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
The issue of the number of outlets was referred to in terms of reference to the things that had changed, but it was never actually the subject of that review. That review produced a whole lot of good measures that this Government is proceeding with. One of those is the “three strikes and you’re out” rule, and another is the removal of the defence of “reasonable belief” for serving alcohol to a minor. A significant change that we have made to the announcement we made last year is that there will be a ban on adults supplying liquor to under-18-year-olds, unless the adult is a parent or guardian, or has the consent of a parent or guardian. That is a major change that we are making. I heard Simon Power say on TV over the weekend that National has spent some months calling for action on the proliferation of liquor licences; well, I could not find anything about it.