Self Praise No Endorsement Jim

New Zealand First Senior Citizens spokesperson Barbara Stewart today questioned the speed at which Jim Anderton was prepared to pat himself on the back over spurious claims his recent impromptu law change had already had an impact on youth drinking.

Mrs Stewart’s comments were in response to Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton claiming responsibility for a reduction in the alcohol content of light spirits.

“Clearly the reduction in alcohol content is a means by which manufacturers of these light spirits have avoided the increase in excise tax which was rammed through Parliament last week,” said Mrs Stewart

“Unfortunately it is not so easy for manufacturers and drinkers of fortified wines and sherry to avoid this sticking-plaster attempt to curb teenage binge drinking.

“Mr Anderton may have realised, if he had allowed this tax change to go through the proper process, that its main impact would be on the elderly and not on the youth for whom it was intended.

“I’m sure that the public of New Zealand wishes Mr Anderton would think before he makes such sudden and ineffective laws and subsequently pats himself on the back for no apparent reason,” said Mrs Stewart.

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