Liquor bill likely to miss election deadline
The Alcohol Reform Bill will be back before Parliament this week but is not likely to be passed this side of the general election in November.
The Alcohol Reform Bill will be back before Parliament this week but is not likely to be passed this side of the general election in November.
Justice select committee chairman Chester Borrows says the bill will be reported back late next week.
Among its provisions are a split drinking age of 18 for bars and 20 for off-licence purchases, alcohol limits for ready-to-drink beverages and reduced opening hours.
More than 8000 submissions on the bill were received and the select committee was granted two extensions, having originally been due to report back in May.
More than 90 hours were clocked in hearing the submissions.
Parliamentary sources say the bill is unlikely to make much headway in the legislative programme as there are just four sitting weeks left before the term winds up.
As a government bill, it will remain on the programme if the National wins re-election. Meanwhile, debate will continue in the House if it gets as far as the second and third readings.
“Many will be happy with new limits on the availability of alcohol and some will think that the bill doesn’t go far enough.” Borrows said.
The government blames the delay on the large number of submissions while others say lobbying by the alcohol industry was the cause.
NBR staff
Mon, 22 Aug 2011
Mon, 22 Aug 2011
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Liquor bill likely to miss election deadline
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