Tuesday, 12 July 2005

Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader

Progressive MP at Alcohol Healthwatch workshop tomorrow

Progressive MP Matt Robson will tomorrow (Wed) attend a half-day workshop organized by Alcohol Healthwatch on the public health issues arising from the abuse of alcohol, particularly by young teenagers.

When: 9.30am-1.00pm Wednesday 13th July 2005
Where: Seminar Room, Second Floor, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket
Further details Rebecca Williams at Alcohol Healthwatch 09 520 7035.

"The response I am receiving to the Progressive Party's Sale of Liquor (Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill has been overwhelming.

"I have received almost universal support for our proposal to strengthen the law against those caught supplying liquor to minors and extremely strong support for our proposal to restrict broadcast marketing and advertising for liquor.

"A majority of people I talk to also support raising the alcohol purchasing age back to twenty years, although I can also report that some people have told me they think a more effective measure to restrict minors' access to liquor might be to cut the number of licensed alcohol outlets because of on-going evidence that too many licensed corner dairies aren't consistently checking on buyers' ages," Matt Robson said.

"The Progressive Party is campaigning in this year's election to deliver strong, meaningful action to turn the tragic tide against our youth binge drinking culture and we welcome participating in workshops and public meetings because we are open to hearing everyone's ideas about the best possible mix of policies that will need to be enacted into law by the next Parliament," the Progressive MP said.

Progressive youth alcohol harm reduction policy:
http://www.progressiveparty.org.nz/drinking-age

Progressive anti-drugs record in government:
http://www.progressiveparty.org.nz/anti-drugs

ENDS