#
#
#

News 

 

Communities to get more say in liquor licensing

Steve Chadwick

07.08.2008

Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick is pleased that Rotorua will have a greater say over when, where and how liquor can be sold under the provisions of a Bill tabled in Parliament yesterday. The Bill will also tighten the law around supplying alcohol to young people.

Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick is pleased that Rotorua will have a greater say over when, where and how liquor can be sold under the provisions of a Bill tabled in Parliament yesterday. The Bill will also tighten the law around supplying alcohol to young people.

"This is good news for communities like ours, who need to have more control over what happens in our neighbourhoods. It also reflects police advice over the availability of alcohol, and calls from local councils to have a greater say over liquor licensing," Steve Chadwick said.

"When it has passed, this bill will mean that communities can object to licensing applications, and licensing authorities will be able to take social impact into account when making licensing decisions. It will make a big difference to the way we use and supply alcohol in Rotorua."

The Bill also creates a framework of enforced self-regulation for alcohol advertising which will include all forms of advertising and promotion. 

"Advertising plays a role in shaping the culture of drinking, and we know we have a problem with New Zealand's drinking culture. There is a small but significant association between the level of exposure to alcohol advertising and consumption. The new framework extends to include packaging, labelling, merchandising and all in-store promotions and price promotions." 

The Bill amends the sale of Liquor Act to confirm the restrictions on selling liquor that apply to grocery businesses, by prohibiting full liquor stores being established by these businesses through 'store within a store' arrangements and immediately adjacent stores that are part of the grocery-selling business. 

The Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill is complemented by the government's further announcement that the Law Commission will undertake a comprehensive two and a half year review of the sale of liquor laws. 

"This is a first principle review of the law around the sale of liquor in New Zealand. My colleague Lianne Dalziel first spoke about the need for a review in a speech in Rotorua in April, and I am pleased that action is being taken to resolve this important issue."

#
#

YOUR NEWS

YOUR MPs

Find your electorate +