Stricter sale regulations needed as alcohol harm costs soar
Despite the sobering costs, it seems the Government may have bowed to pressure from the alcohol industry, with a leaked Cabinet paper revealing planned reforms to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act have done a U-turn.
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee had planned to reduce off-licence sales from the existing 7am to 11pm, making them legal from 9am to 9pm. She said that could have prevented 2400 violent crimes a year.
But to the surprise of some, including the Salvation Army, later versions of the paper showed the reform would now focus on reducing the regulatory burden. The revised paper is due to go before Cabinet today.
At the moment, some councils are developing local alcohol policies for their areas, including off-licence opening hours.
Local alcohol policies in Auckland, Hastings and Christchurch are in place, with 9pm closing for off-licence sales.
However, some other councils have put local alcohol policies in the too-hard basket, citing the cost involved and the threat of industry challenge.
The alcohol industry and supermarkets have big money behind making it difficult for local authorities to compete with.
For example, after three appeals, including one from supermarket giant Progressive Enterprises, Hamilton City Council ditched its local alcohol policy to change the hours alcohol can be sold. It had spent $200,000 on staff and legal time.
While there is an argument for local decisions for communities, alcohol policies are placing a significant burden on councils in terms of time and cost. Most are simply not in a position to be able to take on the powerful alcohol lobby.
Here's where the Government needs to step in and legislate on reduced off-licence hours. Twelve hours a day to buy booze is more than enough.
No, opening off-licences later and closing them earlier won't stop alcohol-related harm but it can help to reduce it and ease some of the pressure on our health and justice systems, support agencies and even our local authorities.
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