-
Watch Video
-
Related
The Justice Minister believes there has been a watershed in
public opinion in recent times about the way New Zealanders are
drinking.
Simon Power told
TVNZ's Q+A programme this morning that he thinks
the cornerstone of any legislative change will be around the issue
of licensing hours.
And he says he is looking closely at the marketing issue, especially advertising "deliberately targeting those who are most harmed".
The minister says the proliferation of liquor outlets and availability of alcohol is a serious problem and the likely starting point for any government action.
But Power does not support raising the drinking age and says if there is a conscience vote on purchase age he "will continue to vote for it to be 18".
Power says New Zealanders are expressing firm views about the way we drink and are stressing the need for action but he says the government has to be careful to get balance right and not punish responsible drinkers.
The Law Commission has studied the effect of alcohol on the community for the last year and says our current liquor laws simply aren't working.
Last week an eminent persons group , led by former governor-general Sir Paul Reeves, called on the government "to make the most of the current once-in-a generation-opportunity to find better solutions to our alcohol crisis".
Power says while he is "not going to get into the business of censorship", he acknowledges the group's attitude reflects growing public concern and he accepts the impact of alcohol on society is a major problem.
"My view is that licences need to be harder to get and easier to lose," Power says, adding that he believes there is a good mandate for the government to be moving in the area where the harm is occurring - that is with young people and availability.
"I believe age is one of the levers that is available on this accessibility issue."
But the minister shares Prime Minister John Key's view in ruling out an increase in excise tax. He says tobacco taxes have increased because all smoking causes harm but not all drinking does.
Power is also interested in the issue of parental responsibility, citing after ball parties where another adult is providing an under-age person with liquor. He says there is presently an anomaly in the law which exempts that as being an offence if the minor is attending a private social gathering.
He says parents have approached him to say they would like tools to help them in discussions with their teens.
Power says he was disturbed by what he saw at corner bars on the streets of Auckland at 4.30 in the morning during a recent visit. He says no good can come of that behaviour for the drinkers themselves, the people they are going home to, or tourists visiting the city.
"I can't be persuaded that queuing up at four or five in the morning to go into a bar or an off licence premises from time to time is an appropriate way for us to be reducing harm."
But Power says the government wants to take its time with any law changes to make sure conscience votes don't disrupt the integrity of any legislative response.
The government is set to respond to the Law Commission alcohol report at the end of August.
Drinking to get drunk
Labour MP Lianne Dalziel initiated the Law Commission review when she was Associate Justice Minister under the Labour government in 2008 and says New Zealand's drinking culture has got worse. But Dalziel doesn't think it's just about young people.
She says there has been more than a generation of heavy drinking in our society and it is something we have to face up.
Domestic violence statistics reveal serious problems with alcohol, says Dalziel and she told Q+A that the review was needed to gather a body of evidence to work with.
"We can't change the culture with the law but can certainly make a big difference to the environment that encourages this level of drinking," says Dalziel.
Bruce Robertson from the Hospitality Association agrees that a major problem is the culture of drinking to get drunk.
But Robertson says the commission's recommendations are largely academic and theoretical rather than practical. He says we need to create boundaries for "indulged" young people and need to enforce the drinking age of 18.
Robertson told Q+A that officials are looking to blame parents and not putting any responsibility on young people to make sensible decisions.
And he says there is a problem with young people fuelling up at home then coming to hospitality precincts already drunk. He says when they can't get into premises they cause a problem.
"Unless we tackle drunkenness and our cultural preparedness to accept it, we're not going to make a change."
What do you think about the proposed alcohol law changes? Have your say on our messageboard
Add a Comment:
Post new commentgrumpy44I said on 2010-08-16 @ 09:56 NZDT: Report abusive post
i dont drink. but i believe that we need a zero tolerance on people drinking driving in New Zealand. how many people must get injured or die. before the government will wake up. it makes me angry that the goverment is so week. on this problem.
radar832004 said on 2010-07-05 @ 00:02 NZDT: Report abusive post
The reason nothing gets done is the government creams it in tax on alcohol! Simple as that.
radar832004 said on 2010-07-05 @ 00:01 NZDT: Report abusive post
The reason nothing gets done is the government creams it in tax on alcohol! Simple as that.
rickus1 said on 2010-07-04 @ 17:52 NZDT: Report abusive post
Make it illegal to get drunk. You are not allowed to drink and drive. Why should you be allowed to get drunk at all??
Wolfman said on 2010-07-04 @ 15:49 NZDT: Report abusive post
Simple answer is to get the alcohol out of the Supermarkets and shut 70% of these small liquor outlets that have opened up in every suburb of New Zealand. It seems every 2nd immigrant that comes to this country opens up a Liquor outlet at the blessing of the Kindergarten Politicians. (Councils) Stop all advertising including in sport.