PRESS RELEASE
 
Liqour Law Reform Overdue

The New Zealand Institute of Liquor Licensing Inspectors (NZILLI) welcomes the Law Commission issues paper on the reform of New Zealand’s Liquor laws.

NZILLI President, Murray Clearwater, says “The current Sale of Liquor 1989 Act is long overdue for review and it is refreshing to see the Law Commission suggest that a whole new Act be written rather than just amending the current one.

Our members are the regulators with a statutory duty to enquire into, report on and monitor the sellers of alcohol.  We want to see clear roles and responsibilities for the agencies involved in the regulation and monitoring of the liquor industry. We support the call for greater informed local input in to licensing decisions and greater commitment from central and local government to resource DLAs so they can perform their statutory duties.

We still strongly believe that minors should only be allowed to consume alcohol under the direct supervision of their parents or lawful guardians and we support raising the purchase age from off-licensed premises to twenty. The Institute also support a consistent nationwide policy on opening hours for all licensed premises.

The Institute looks forward to working with the government and the Law Commission during this submission and bill writing stage to ensure a modern, effective and practical licensing regime is enacted for the future.
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