Palmer Report Recommendations Wowserish

Palmer Report Recommendations More Wowserish than Wow

Sir Geoffrey Palmer’s latest Law Commission report into alcohol reflects classic nanny state thinking, a failure to target those who create the problems, and a preference to punish every New Zealander for the wrongs of a few, says NZ Food and Grocery Council Chief Executive, Katherine Rich.

“There is probably some good work within the Commission’s 500 page tome, but it’s completely overshadowed by policy ideas that seek to punish the majority of New Zealanders, who currently drink responsibly, without effectively addressing the small number of people who cause the harm.”

Mrs Rich says, the Sir Geoffrey’s call for a blanket 50% hike in alcohol taxes designed to hit every moderate drinker might raise a lot of tax revenue, but would do little to curb problem drinking.

“We welcome the diplomatic comments from the Minister Simon Power, in particular, his rejection of the recommendation to hike excise tax.”

We agree with him that the prudent step is to take a careful look at existing enforcement provisions when considering reform around the availability and licensing of alcohol.

The whole tenor of Sir Geoffrey’s report is to call for more regulation of everything from advertising, to pricing, supermarket sales and sponsorship. The liquor industry is already one of the most regulated industries. More regulation that impacts on every moderate drinking New Zealander is not a solution to dealing with the minority who create the problems, says Mrs Rich.

“There are already numerous industry-led developments currently underway. It is not in anyone’s interest to have problem drinkers.”

“Our consistent position is that we support initiatives if we believe they will make a difference. This often involves greater consumer responsibility and education, better enforcement of the current rules and better utilisation of existing legal powers.”

There also needs to be some realism about what any change to the Sale of Liquor Act can achieve. As many reports on alcohol have identified there are complex cultural aspects to the drinking habits of some New Zealanders which law changes will not effect, said Mrs Rich.

ENDS

© Scoop Media