Consultation
32. The following government departments have been provided with a copy of this paper for comment: The Treasury, the Departments of Labour, Conservation, Internal Affairs, Building and Housing, the Ministries of Transport, the Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, Fisheries, Justice, Health and Consumer Affairs, the Accident Compensation Corporation, Statistics New Zealand, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, the New Zealand Customs Service, the Inland Revenue Department. All comments have been incorporated. The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has been informed of this paper.
Ministry of Justice View Regarding Liquor Licensing
33. The Ministry of Justice considers that the changes have the potential to significantly change the risk profile of business and constitute major policy issues. The object of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 is to establish a reasonable system of control over the sale and supply of liquor to the public with the aim of contributing to the reduction of liquor abuse, so far as that can be achieved by legislative means. Liquor licensing policy reflects a delicate tension between competing industry, community, public health and criminal justice objectives.
34. The majority of the sector study participants seek greater liberalisation of the liquor licensing regime, by extending or removing licence periods, restructuring the licence requirements, removing advertising requirements and varying or removing training and certification requirements for bar managers. These are all major policy issues under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 as they relate to the relaxation of controls relating to the sale and supply of liquor. The issues surrounding the proposals are sensitive and complex, as the processes currently in place (including advertising requirements and licence periods) are intended to reduce alcohol-related harms to communities.
35. The government is currently undertaking a Review of the Sale and Supply of Liquor to Minors, which goals include developing policy proposals that address the causes of harms arising from the sale and supply of liquor to minors. The Ministry's liquor policy expertise and capacity is dedicated to that review at this time and work on wider liquor licensing proposals seeking liberalisation of the liquor licensing regime would conflict with the objects of that review as well as the government's wider policies seeking to reduce alcohol-related harm.
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