17 October 2007

Alcohol Review Nothing But A Paper Tiger – Mark

New Zealand First MP Ron Mark has slammed the government’s proposals for addressing the supply of alcohol to minors, following the announcement today by the Minister of Justice and Associate Minister of Health of measures aimed at tackling under-age drinking.

“We had expected the proposals to have some bite,” said Mr Mark. “Instead we have been fobbed off with a toothless wonder.

“The proposals are full of inconsistencies. It had been reported that parents were a major source of alcohol to under-age youth who were drinking in public, yet now the government wants to punish every person who supplies alcohol to minors - except the parents.

Mr Mark also criticised the plan to cancel licences of the managers of liquor outlets who supply liquor to minors under a ‘three strikes and you’re out’ clause.

“That does nothing to penalise the liquor outlet itself – a new manager can always be found,” said Mr Mark.

“Nor is there anything in the review to limit the number of liquor outlets in a certain area, which is another factor that needs addressing in many of our urban centres.

“The review served its purpose, which was to subvert the vote on the Sale of Liquor (Youth Harm Minimisation) Bill.

“By announcing the review on the eve of the vote, the government enticed many MPs who were in support of the bill to opt instead for the review.

“This flew directly in the face of public opinion, and went against the wishes of the majority of the New Zealand public who wanted to see the bill passed,” concluded Mr Mark.

ENDS

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