Collins unhappy with liquor vote

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Collins unhappy with liquor vote

3News NZ

Justice Minister Judith Collins (file)

Justice Minister Judith Collins (file)

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Parliament's decision to keep the alcohol purchase age at 18 has removed an effective way to curb problem drinking, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

Ms Collins, who sponsors the Alcohol Reform Bill, wanted the age to be split, keeping it at 18 in bars and raising it to 20 in supermarkets and liquor stores.

The split age option was one of three which MPs were given the choice to cast conscience votes on, but it was the least favoured option and thus the first eliminated.

In a subsequent run-off vote there were 68 in favour of keeping the age at 18 and 53 in favour of raising it to 20.

"Keeping the purchase age at 18 across the board denies one effective way of curbing problem drinking but it is not the only tool available," Ms Collins said.

Prime Minister John Key supported the split age and said before the votes were taken he was confident it would be passed.

Ms Collins says her bill still has a wide range of measures to reduce alcohol-related harm.

"This is the first time in more than two decades that any Government is acting to restrict rather than relax our drinking laws."

Measures in the bill include:

  • Giving communities a stronger say on when and where alcohol can be sold
  • Strengthening the rules around the types of stores that can sell alcohol
  • Forcing supermarkets and grocery stores to display alcohol in a single area
  • Requiring express parental consent for private supply of alcohol to people under 18
  • Changing the rules so it is more difficult to get a licence and introducing maximum trading hours for licensed premises.

Now the age has been dealt with, Parliament will go through the rest of the bill in a week's time.

NZN

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Comments

4/09/2012 8:48:54 a.m.

Martin wrote:

Well done to the politicians on this vote. Splitting the age that people can buy alcohol was never going to address the real problem of binge drinking. What is needed is education not restriction in the consumption of alcohol. It will be interesting to see if the politicians can get that part right.

3/09/2012 9:05:13 a.m.

allan wrote:

the weak kneed polititions are only worried about votes nothing else.

3/09/2012 4:07:26 a.m.

jan.. wrote:

People of New Zealand do have a say' corncerning the health and safety of others where today's drinking episode may lead to a more dangerous zone if the 18-20 year old misbehaved.. The American approximately has one hundred and sixty million people and their drinking age and domains or of-license are still at 21.. New Zealand law should be firm like American..

31/08/2012 10:16:33 p.m.

Kathy Davie wrote:

I agree with Judy Collins. It should never have beeen cxhanged in the first place. Excuse me..Is there anyone in Wellington listening to what we wnnt in placein this country?Very disappointed voter..

31/08/2012 7:22:18 p.m.

Anne de Jong wrote:

It seems that our Government does not think. They make stupid decisions and are definitely not listening to the electorate.
You have made a lot of dumb decisions over the last year.
Time you listened to the people with wisdom. Sadly, New Zealand and its people will pay the price of these stupid decisions in years to come.

31/08/2012 6:49:46 p.m.

Alex wrote:

Banks voted for 18, only after the option for the 18/20 was eliminated.

31/08/2012 1:30:10 p.m.

S wrote:

Very disappointing that all those in Govt who were responsible for voting on behalf of NZers voted on what they wanted and not what the majority of NZers wanted. Passsing Laws needs to be changed so laws should not be voted on by a minority in Govt, by the people of NZ!

31/08/2012 1:19:23 p.m.

Judy wrote:

Yeah, well. We lowered the voting age, then we lowered the drinking age and apparently we've also lowered the age at which youngsters can be sent into battle zones which is something that I didn't realise (and may not be true.) We can't honestly expect politicians who are looking for votes to turn back the clock. Reducing outlets and opening hours and charging the parents of under-18 drinkers might help. How did John Banks vote?

31/08/2012 1:05:32 p.m.

dave wrote:

very dissapointed. this govt had the chnace to make a difference. Its not the 18 & 19 yr olds that are the real problem, its the younger ones. When the age limit was 20, 18 and 19 yr olds sneaked in, now its 18, 16yr olds are sneaking in. Setting the age at 20 sends a message. Alcohol and young people do not mix. So what if they can vote, that has nothing to do with alcohol.

31/08/2012 12:51:05 p.m.

Simon wrote:

Why? It's now a moot point, but I'm yet to here a valid argument for keeping the age so low. Being old enough to do other things vote / get married etc isnt a valid reason to be allowed unlimited access to a dangerous drug. If it was there is a good case for allowing 18+ access to P, cocaine etc. The mp' s seem to think that 18 year olds only socialise with people their own age or over the problem with leavening the drinking age at 18 is that it exposes under 18's to alcohol