Media statement
For immediate release
Wednesday, 17 October 2007

Dunne: Liquor reforms generally in right direction

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says the Government’s package of proposals to deal with the problems associated with youth drinking are generally a step in the right direction.

“Few will argue with the proposals regarding stricter enforcement of the minimum legal drinking age, particularly with regard to the supply of liquor to minors.

“I particularly welcome the increased emphasis on parental responsibility.

“One of the urban myths that the review dispels is that liquor outlets and supermarkets are the main source of supply for underage drinkers, and that therefore stricter regulation of these outlets would resolve the issue.

“Research since the 1970s has consistently shown that the major source of supply is their parents, and this review’s finding that parents account for 60% of the supply to young people comes as no surprise,” Mr Dunne says.

Mr Dunne has given more cautious approval to the proposed new rules regarding the regulation of liquor advertising.

“UnitedFuture supports industry self-regulation in these matters, rather than heavy- handed government control.

“The proposal to retain the Advertising Standards Authority as the primary regulatory agency is good, and I have no real issue with the notion of enforced self-regulation that is now being introduced.

“However, I am wary of the additional enforcement powers – which have yet to be spelled out – being proposed for the Director-General of Health, and do not want to see these become the thin end of the wedge for direct government control of advertising,” he says.

Finally, Mr Dunne says UnitedFuture supports the introduction of zero alcohol tolerance for young drivers under the age of 20 years.

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