Labour welcomes Law Commission report Alcohol describing it as "sobering"
The Labour Party today welcomed the Law Commission's comprehensive report on the sale of liquor in New Zealand.
Labour Justice Spokesperson Lianne Dalziel and Associate Health Spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway have commended the Law Commission on providing an extensive report that will be an invaluable resource for years to come as we seek to address alcohol related harm.
"As the former minister who spearheaded the call for the Law Commission review I am impressed with the quality of report they have produced,” Lianne Dalziel said.
“It is like no other report I have seen from the Law Commission and that is a credit to the commitment to enabling New Zealand to answer a question that many countries are asking; and that is whether the pendulum has swung too far," Lianne Dalziel said.
Associate Health Spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway said alcohol had a major impact on New Zealand's health, justice and family services.
"Part 1 of the Law Commission Report provides an overview of our drinking habits as a country, the risks associated with them and the major impacts that harmful drinking is having on levels of crime, injury and health, which provides a 'sobering' foundation for the debate about how we regulate the sale and supply of liquor," said Iain Lees-Galloway.
Lianne Dalziel said that communities have been becoming increasingly vocal about their opposition to a proliferation of liquor outlets (especially off-licences) and this is a golden opportunity to make their voices heard.
"It is vital that this discussion document is read and discussed in every home, every workplace, every community and even every pub, so that we are clear about the facts of the matter. We must own the problem as a nation and find the solutions together.”
Lianne Dalziel and Iain Lees-Galloway are planning a series of community meetings to help make the Discussion Document and the submission process more accessible. “We congratulate the Law Commission for an excellent report and we hope that the New Zealand public and then the Parliament do it justice."
