New Alcohol Law Increases Uncertainty For Clubs

Clubs New Zealand is disappointed to see that the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Amendment Bill was passed under urgency earlier this week.

"The bill has been heralded as a huge win for communities, however, it fails to acknowledge the voices of New Zealand’s clubs and small hospitality operators and the very real contributions that they make to the communities that they operate within, says Chief Executive, Larry Graham.

“Clubs New Zealand does not believe that this new legislation will contribute greatly to a reduction in alcohol related harm, instead it will introduce a raft of unintended consequences and increase uncertainty for our industry, which is already struggling under the weight of legislative burden.

“The new legislation introduces a number of changes, including removing the ability for parties to appeal provisional local alcohol policies, and allowing District Licensing Committees to decline to renew a licence if the licence would be inconsistent with conditions on location or licence density in the relevant LAP.

“If an LAP imposes location conditions or density restrictions, there are now 320 clubs, 3,000 employees, 6,000 volunteers and 300,000 individual New Zealander’s, who will face the uncertainty that their club and/or place of employment may not have its licence renewed, despite that venue operating in a compliant and safe manner.

“Clubs New Zealand and our members are supportive of the need for a community’s voice to be involved in that community’s decision-making process to ensure that alcohol is enjoyed safely, and that harm is reduced.

“Reducing the number of licenced premises and limiting licensed premises participation is not going to translate to reduced consumption or reduced harm, and sadly opportunities to foster community collaboration and real positive change have been missed.

“Clubs New Zealand believes that alcohol reforms should be focused on harm minimisation and ensuring that when alcohol is consumed it is done so in controlled environments run by responsible hosts.”

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