Parliament responds to public over drinking

Friday, 20 October 2006

20 October 2006 Press Release

Parliament has opportunity to connect with public on alcohol purchasing age

Progressive Leader Jim Anderton welcomed the Law and Order select committee’s report to Parliament on the bill initially introduced by former MP Matt Robson, the Deputy Leader of Progressive Party, which aims to raise the alcohol purchasing age to 20 years.

“I believe Parliament has been thrown a timely lifeline to show it is responsive to the public on an issue which has significant public health implications.

“I congratulate the Drug Foundations website www.20years.org.nz tallying MP’s voting intentions on this bill-that is a real public service.

“At the moment the tally is 4 MPs in favour versus 1 against.

“I believe there is a real opportunity for MPs to show the public that we listen, and that we learn from our mistakes and fix them” he said

The next day for Members bills to be debated in the House of Representatives is 8th November.

For more information, go to http://www.progressive.org.nz/index.php

ENDS