Alcohol review needed but horse has already bolted

An Auckland business association has said the Law Commission’s recommendations to Parliament on alcohol issues will struggle to make a real difference. It claims the horse has already bolted, and points out it was in fact Sir Geoffrey Palmer’s government that gave us the failed liquor legislation to start with.

“Over the past two decades the Sale of Liquor Act has allowed for hard liquor to be sold on almost any suburban street corner. The huge growth we’ve seen in the number of discount liquor outlets has been a major cause of the problems. Police will tell you that many of the problems stem from readily available and widespread access to alcohol.

“Tweaking the purchase age, opening hours, advertising guidelines, or the product cost will make no real difference. The damage has already been done. In recent years society has seen a proliferation of off-licenses with the number of cheap and nasty bottle stores multiplying. It’s not the hours, age, advertising, or cost. It’s simply the fact that off-licenses have been allowed to set up anywhere and everywhere, and they have.

“It’s ironic that the President of the Law Commission, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, charged with fixing the Sale of Liquor Act was Prime Minister when the legislation took effect in 1989.

“In the past two decades the Liquor Licensing Authority has been forced to work within the confines of the legislation and subsequently marginal applications have been issued with licences every day of the week. Low-rent bottle stores have sprung up all over the place and the Sale of Liquor Act prevented community outrage from being considered. I’m pleased communities will now be heard.

“Cheap and nasty bottle stores have been allowed on almost any suburban corner, and a subsequent 1999 amendment even allowed them to open on a Sunday. They will sadly remain a big part of the problem.

“Penalising every licensed business and responsible social drinker is tough when you consider Parliament alone was the architect of our failed liquor legislation. Hospitality businesses have had a difficult couple years. Today’s report will only really penalise the good operators and the sensible drinkers. Sadly those that are causing harm will continue to do just that,” says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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