Government response predictable – but won’t cut it

Hon Jim Anderton

Member of Parliament for Wigram

Progressive Leader

Government response predictable – but won’t cut it

23 August 2010 Media Statement

This government has missed the best opportunity in a decade to reform our alcohol laws by failing to take the tough decisions that would actually make a difference to New Zealand’s drinking culture, Jim Anderton, MP for Wigram and Progressive leader said today.

“All the expert advice is that if you put up the price, consumption will decline. But this government is merely asking the industry to provide sales and pricing data over the next year, so that can investigate a minimum pricing regime,” Jim Anderton said.

Today Justice Minister Simon Power announced the Government’s alcohol reforms in response to the Law Commission Report which called for sweeping changes to alcohol legislation.

“The Government has chosen to cherry pick some recommendations while ignoring others. It has ignored the call for restrictions on the advertising and sponsorship of alcohol, for changes to the cost of alcohol to deter all drinkers, and for a clear message on the drinking age - an increase to 20 years old.

“Splitting the drinking age sends a mixed message. It’s like saying ‘I sort of don’t want my teenagers to binge drink at the weekend. Just do it at the bar and I’ll turn a blind eye’.

“I have campaigned for years to raise the age back to twenty years at bars and off-licenses. My colleague Matt Robson's Member's Bill provided for this back in 2005. But when it came to the Second Reading, the House failed to support an increase to the age.

“I will be using my position as a Member of Parliament to move an amendment to raise the age for both bars and off-licenses. Given the two major parties are allowing a conscience vote on this, my amendment has a real chance of succeeding,” says Jim Anderton.

“The changes announced today will not bring about the changes that are needed to tackle the drinking culture head-on. If John Key’s government had the courage to stand apart from the alcohol industry, it would have lowered the drink drive level to 50mg from its present level of 80mg.

“The truth is the alcohol lobby has got to John Key’s government and they don’t have the guts to do what’s right,” says Jim Anderton.

ENDS