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Collins: Get tough on liquor law breakers

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Collins: Get tough on liquor law breakers

3News NZ

Justice Minister Judith Collins (NZN)

Justice Minister Judith Collins (NZN)

Liquor trade law enforcement officers have been told to show zero tolerance for bad behaviour when the Alcohol Reform Bill's new rules are in place.

Justice Minister Judith Collins delivered her "get tough" message to licensing inspectors at their annual conference in Wellington on Thursday.

Ms Collins is in charge of the bill, which will create new offences and impose strict new rules on bars, supermarkets and liquor stores.

She introduced a late amendment so inspectors can go into premises without having to identify themselves.

"I expect you to show a zero tolerance policy towards bad behaviour," Ms Collins told the conference.

"We must send a clear message from the start that we mean business and new laws will be strictly enforced."

Ms Collins says the Government is making it "perfectly clear" to the alcohol industry that it expects high standards of responsibility, and that licences and manager's certificates will be cancelled for repeated breaches.

"The bill introduces a persistent non-compliance regime which puts licensees and managers on notice - I'm sure you will agree that those who repeatedly fail to meet their obligations in relation to selling alcohol have no place in the industry," she said.

Ms Collins is threatening to restrict the sale of ready-to-drink beverages (RTDs) if the industry doesn't come up with an effective voluntary code.

"The bill allows the Government to restrict the sale of RTDs at any time in the future - this can be done in a matter of weeks," she said.

The bill will continue to be debated in Parliament next week and is likely to be enacted within a fortnight.

NZN

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Comments

10/09/2012 7:48:25 p.m.

Steve wrote:

Why not hit the supplier MAL? A class B equivalent drug supplier is not selling candy. The product kills, abuses, rapes, commits crimes and harms the unborn child. FASD. You advocate soft laws on suppliers then deregulate ecstasy as well because it is class B and less harmful and that goes for cannabis. Personal responsibility seems to go out the door when tobacco and alcohol are involved I agree and that goes for politicians like Key. It is the drug but he won't admit that. Lets make the laws tougher. Restrict ease of access: stop supermarkets selling it. Stop advertising it and promoting it. Make bars and liquor outlets have limited hours without advertising outside. Toughen up on BAC levels. Cut the promotion of RTD's high alcohol teeny bopper trainers.

7/09/2012 9:50:38 a.m.

mal wrote:

Let's get real and bring back the responsibility to the person concerned. There are laws available that both the police and the law courts can use to curb this problem. It is not just a NZ problem,it is a international problem but we can clean up our own back yard and personal responsibility is something that sadly lacks in NZ in many ways. If you want freedom as a person in NZ earn it and if you abuse wear the cost in all ways. This not only goes for drinking but for driving etc as well. Don't just hit the supplier hit the person involved that is where the problem lies. Stop playing around the edges of this problem and hit it right at the centre of the problem personal responsibility and if you aren't got it you pay the cost medically, property and any other costs involved with your attitude. Stop letting the poor drunk get away with it HIT THEM Where it Hurts POCKET.

7/09/2012 5:26:32 a.m.

Alex wrote:

Instead of targeting retailers, target the drunks. Fine or charge people who end up in the hospitals or police cells as a result of their own inability to drink responsibly. There is no personal responsibility being exercised whatsoever for continually scrutinising licencees.

6/09/2012 5:50:16 p.m.

ivan wrote:

Dont blame hospo people, if people are going to break the rules they always find a way. The blame needs to be harder on the offenders not the businesses that struggle to pay staff more than minimum wage. This is like telling the police they are getting fined for every speeder they dont catch. Its supermarkets that should not be allowed to sell booze period.

6/09/2012 5:06:19 p.m.

Mike wrote:

It needs to be targeted more than just the liquor outlets.

It needs to also target the drunks, and get support from our justice system. Currently we have judges so out of touch who will look at a defendant and do nothing to stop a repeat. If we have a law then the judges need to do their job and not hand out suspended sentences (and other minor sentences) to repeat offenders.

6/09/2012 2:57:57 p.m.

kelvyn wrote:

One premises here in Hawkes Bay caught for a second time selling to underage kids was closed down for three days. How about that. The staff use up some holidays, you catch up on maintenance, clean the carpets, maybe some paint here and there etc and before you know it, it's opening time again. Repeat offenders should be squeezed until they squeak, so other premises see this. A climate of fear regards liquor licence responsibilities would not be a bad thing.