Alcohol Bill should ensure public has a say on all recommendations

Labour Justice spokesperson Lianne Dalziel says the Law Commission’s review of liquor laws in New Zealand shows that the overwhelming message from the public is that there is a need to change New Zealand’s drinking culture.

Lianne Dalziel says New Zealanders spend $85M on alcohol every week. “Evidence to the Commission shows that ‘drinking to intoxication and drinking large quantities remain dominant features of our drinking culture and this behaviour is not confined to an aberrant minority’.

“The Law Commission has stated that the focus of proposals in this review is on the excessive consumption of alcohol, and that those who drink in a low-risk manner will be little affected by the proposals.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the harm that is associated with excessive drinking,” Lianne Dalziel said. “We may not have a personal drinking problem, but we are all affected by problem drinking.”

Lianne Dalziel said that the motive behind establishing the Law Commission review was to ensure that MPs had a good well-researched evidence base to inform their decision-making.

“It is important that the Government doesn’t pick and choose among the recommendations,” Lianne Dalziel said. “It makes sense that all the recommendations should now go to the scrutiny of a select committee which will call for submissions on the bill.

“It is vital, now that such a significant report has been delivered, that New Zealanders have a mature and thoughtful debate on the review. Alcohol in our Lives --- Curbing the Harm provides the foundation for that debate.”

ENDS

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