One of New Zealand's biggest breweries has been labelled "desperate" for attempting to make the Government stop the Auckland Council from restricting the sale of individual drinks at some liquor outlets.
The Council is putting pressure on central city liquor retailers to stop them selling single cans or bottles of beers, or individual RTDs.
So far 69 out of 80 off-licence outlets are complying with the request.
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In documents obtained by ONE News, Lion Breweries sent a letter to both the Justice Minister Judith Collins and Police Minister Anne Tolley calling for them to review the actions of the Council.
Collins said it was inappropriate for the brewery to ask her for help.
"If I wanted to work within the law, it's not appropriate for me to be involved in the decision-making of local authorities."
Labour's Justice spokesperson Lianne Dalziel said the brewery was frightened of further restrictions with the nationwide alcohol reform looming.
"It does smack of desperation, I mean why go to the minister when you've got a problem with the Auckland Council?"
Auckland Mayor Len Brown said stopping the sale of single drinks from off-licenses had already had a "five-fold" reduction in liquor license ban breaches.
"We are looking to stop preloading either in our streets or in our carparks in close proximity to our on licenses."
Collins today submitted her final proposals to the Alcohol Reform Bill which she said would reduce alcohol-related harm.
The amendments included restricting alcohol displays and advertising to non-prominent areas of supermarkets, increasing the legal drinking age to 20 and introducing parental consent for those under-age who wanted to drink.
It also suggests introdcuing a voluntary code for shops to restrict the sale of RTDs.
Collins said the Bill in its previous state did not go far enough to address the issue of availability of alcohol to young people.
"This Government supports a shift in drinking culture, away from excess drinking towards responsible, moderate alcohol consumption.
"We''re taking action but we can't do it alone. New Zealand as a whole needs to shape up too."
The paper is the first time in 20 years the Government is restricting drinking laws rather than relaxing them.