The chairwoman of Queenstown's alcohol action lobby has
criticised the Government for "smoothing over"
recommendations on alcohol law reform and is urging the
community to make submissions on the Alcohol Reform Bill at a
public forum on October 20.
"It was hoped that the Government would pick up and go
forward with all the recommendations. Unfortunately, this is
not the case and [the] Government have left out the most
important recommendations, which would have the greatest
impact on New Zealand's binge drinking culture," Queenstown
United in Violence and Alcohol Reduction group chairwoman Ann
Fowler said.
Prime Minister John Key's "outright dismissal" of a 10% rise
in liquor prices, the failure to reduce easy access to
alcohol, the lack of regulation around marketing campaigns
designed to increase alcohol sales and the failure to reduce
drink-driving blood-alcohol levels were "key" oversights, she
said.
Transport minister Steven Joyce had made an "appalling
decision" not to lower the drink-driving limit for those over
20 from 0.08 to 0.05 (80mg to 50mg).
Wednesday's meeting would garner "a real mix of opinions",
she said.
"We're also encouraging people to make submissions. It's all
very well to have your say, but it's got to reach the ears of
politicians."
The meeting follows one held on September 27 where Senior
Sergeant John Fookes, of Queenstown, former Queenstown Mayor
Clive Geddes and licensee representative Russell Gray, of
Good Bars, spoke.
Mrs Fowler said the follow-up meeting would be a chance for
people to discuss issues not canvassed in the previous forum
and to talk in more depth about strategies and contents of
submissions.
One meeting would not be enough to go over the range of
"complex" issues and attendees were asked to commit to more
than one evening.
The Bill was likely to go before Parliament by early November
and Mrs Fowler said it was up to communities to let MPs know
what changes were needed.
"Please make an effort to come. It has been nearly a quarter
of a century since the last liquor review. Goodness knows how
long it will be to the next one," she said.
The public meeting, starting at 7pm on October 20 at the
Salvation Army rooms, Camp St, Queenstown, will be
facilitated by Peter Gibson.
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