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For immediate release

— Wellington, Tuesday, 28 April 2009

Salvation Army calls for the scrapping of the Sale and Supply of Liquor Bill

The Salvation Army is calling on the Government to abandon the Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill.

The Salvation Army says while the Bill’s objectives are worthy, it doubts the proposed changes will radically alter how liquor is sold and consumed, and a fundamental review of how liquor is regulated is now needed.

“The Bill is merely tinkering with the problems associated with what is a highly dangerous and addictive drug which contributes directly to family violence, road fatalities and increasing youth offending,” Salvation Army social policy spokesman Major Campbell Roberts says.

“The availability of liquor and the destructive patterns of alcohol consumption – that according to one recent study cost the nation $4.8 billion – are so widespread and deeply engrained in our communities that a comprehensive review and effective action are now needed.”

In its submission on the Bill to the Justice and Electoral Committee, The Salvation Army applauded the proposal for a greater capacity for local authorities to decide where and how many liquor outlets operate in their jurisdictions.

However, if these rules prove effective in curbing liquor sales, it is likely the major liquor distributors, such as the two supermarket chains, will turn to the courts to maintain their presence in these communities and protect their sales growth. Local authorities, particularly smaller councils, will find it difficult and expensive to resist a better resourced liquor industry, Major Roberts says.
     
He says it is feasible and preferable to use national regulations to achieve the Bill’s aims, rather than place yet another burden on local communities.

Another flaw is that the Bill’s focus on youth drinking appears to be something of a distraction and a case of moral panic in that it ignores the problem drinking of older New Zealanders.

While claiming to get tough on those retailers who sell liquor to under-age youth, the Bill’s “three-strikes” and the retailer loses his or her licence stance fails to address the reality that the present law is being widely flouted. The proposed three-strikes will not deter unscrupulous liquor retailers from continuing to sell to minors as the current enforcement regime means they have a low chance of being caught, says Major Roberts.
 
The Salvation Army’s deep and long-held concerns over how alcohol is sold and consumed comes from its close relationship with those most badly affected by the misuse of alcohol.  These people range from the families of alcoholics seeking counselling, food parcels or emergency housing through to the 3500 people it treats for addictions through its 10 Bridge Programme addiction treatment centres.

Issued on the Authority of Commissioner Donald Bell (Territorial Commander)
The Salvation Army, New Zealand Fiji & Tonga Territory

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