Council votes against citywide liquor ban

Published: 11:51AM Wednesday June 23, 2010 Source: ONE News

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The Wellington City Council has voted against a citywide liquor ban after three hours of fiery debate.

The liquor ban would have seen possession and consumption of alcohol made illegal in all the city's public spaces. It would have been the country's biggest ban on drinking.

However, councillors felt it wasn't needed, or wanted, by residents. They voted against it 11 to four.

Instead, the current ban which includes the city centre and nearby Oriental Bay will be extended to the adjoining suburbs of Newtown and Mount Cook.
 
Earlier, Wellington councillor Iona Pannett said she believed the ban wouldn't work.

"What they are saying is that 'we won't go after law-abiding people who are having a picnic by the beach, we just want to go after the trouble-makers but we need this law, which will criminalise everyone and place to do that,' and I don't think that is necessary," Pannett said.

Pannett said the council should wait to see what the government does with a law commission review, which recommended tax and price increases to curb excessive alcohol use.

What did you think of the proposal to ban all consumption and possession of alcohol throughout Wellington's public spaces? Share your view on the message board below.

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