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| Media Release Liquor bill contravenes natural justice The Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill before a Select Committee today carries risks of diverting natural justice and further halting individual responsibility. These claims were made by the Hospitality Association of New Zealand (HANZ) during presentations to the Select Committee hearing submissions in Wellington today. The Association’s chief executive, Bruce Robertson says the proposed changes are seriously at odds with natural justice and creating a climate of individual responsibility for our young people. He also claimed that the legislation, if passed would be patronising and paternalistic to the majority of young adults who purchase and consume alcohol in a responsible manner. “It is estimated that there are 100,000 people between the ages of 18 & 19 who, if this bill is passed into law, will, with the stroke of a pen, be denied their right to purchase alcohol” he said. “This legislation is seriously at odds with Parliament’s other decisions that at the age of 18 an individual can and should take responsibility for their own actions whether it be to smoke, gamble, enter into a civil union or marriage, have children, or indeed sell themselves for sex. “It seems patently absurd that an 18 year old should be able to legally do all of the above but not be able to buy themselves a beer,” he told the committee. He said that if this bill were to be passed, it would put New Zealand significantly at odds with the rest of the world in terms of the age of purchase of alcohol. “Currently there are 49 countries with national laws specifying a minimum purchase age of alcohol beverages by minors. In countries where no exceptions have been noted, 24 countries set the purchase age at 18. “Indeed, four countries set the age at 16. Only one country set the age at 20 and two at 21,” he said. Mr Robertson told the Committee that with New Zealand increasingly relying on tourism as an export earner, raising the age of purchase also has the potential to have an impact on the tourism market. “It’s estimated that at least 50,000 tourists to New Zealand each year are aged between 18 & 20. They are mostly young adults on their ‘gap year’ or undertaking their overseas experience & as well as a significant number of international students. “Should New Zealand become known as a country where they cannot buy a drink until they’re 20, it is likely they’ll find a more accommodating destination,” he said. “These visitors to New Zealand also spend some time working in the tourism and hospitality sector. This bill could have an adverse impact on an already under-supplied labour market. He said that HANZ also opposes the changes to the broadcast liquor advertising requirements. “The suggested changes are unnecessary and will make no difference to harm-related issues. “Alcohol consumption has decreased since TV and radio brand advertising was allowed in 1992, despite alcohol being more widely available with beer going into supermarkets and grocery outlets, and the age of purchase being normalised at 18. Mr Robertson says that changes in order to right the wrongs are understandable and to be encouraged, but change for the sake of detrimental change, such as the bill being discussed contains should be cast aside. For further information and comment contact: Ref: h:hr6r6082.doc |
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