‘Government should not be treating citizens as children’ – David Seymour

ACT leader David Seymour has come out swinging today at what he regards as the paternalistic attitude of those in power.

He is not, however, taking aim at Trade Minister Tim Groser’s remark – in response to criticism about the secrecy surrounding TPP negotiations – that “we need adults to do this, not breathless children to run off at the mouth when the deal is not actually finished.”

Instead, Mr Seymour is anticipating the start of Rugby World Cup in September and the sense of disconnection that will be felt by fans without a communal watering-hole at which to watch the games as they unfold in the northern hemisphere.

“For such an important one-off event as a Rugby World Cup on the other side of the world, outside our time zone, I think sports enthusiasts should be able to celebrate the occasion in the same way they would if these matches were within normal New Zealand hours,” Mr Seymour says.

“Current licensing arrangements are too inflexible to allow for this special occasion. Bars seeking special licenses are having to jump through all sorts of ridiculous nanny-state hoops. Police have indicated to licensees that they will oppose applications unless the licensees agree to conditions like ticket-only sales, fancy dress, live music, quizzes, guest speakers or themed food.

“This is absurd. The government should not be treating citizens as children.

“We all know why people would bother to head out so early – they want to share the World Cup experience with other people, friends and strangers alike.

“That is reason enough,” Mr Seymour says, for him to introduce a bill that will enable people to watch the 2015 Rugby World Cup in bars and function rooms.

He will seek leave to table a short bill to this end on August 11, the first sitting day after recess.

If he’s granted this leave, Mr Seymour will ask the prime minister to treat it as a government bill, so it “doesn’t languish ineffectively at the bottom of the order paper until the World Cup is over,” he says.

“Let’s treat people as adults and allow our hospitality industry to utilise the excellent range of premises available in New Zealand to celebrate this great occasion.”

Use MyNBR Tags to track people and companies — and receive key-word email alerts. Find out how here.