Lees-Galloway Iain: Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
Lees-Galloway Iain: Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Volume:668;Page:14917] 
IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Labour—Palmerston North) 
: 
 I have been positioned by a number of members this evening and now I am even being positioned by a member on my own side which is a little bit concerning. I suspect that there is a generation gap between the Hon Trevor Mallard— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Or two. 
IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY 
: Yeah maybe but I suspect that Mr Mallard and I may end up finding that we agree on more; there will be more that binds us than separates us on this matter. 
It is fair to say that in my role as the Opposition’s associate health spokesperson working in the drug and alcohol treatment area a number of the people whom I work with and discuss policy with have expressed their concerns to me about Part 5 of the Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill because it liberalises liquor licences and superficially at least makes it easier to acquire a licence for the period of time that the tournament is occurring. It could cause a proliferation of liquor outlets and that would be occurring alongside a massive influx of people who are looking for entertainment looking to go out and drink and will be out in the cities that are hosting test matches across the country. That is a potential cocktail—pun intended; the member should not look at me like that—for trouble and will be a lot of work for the police hospitals emergency departments and community organisations. 
There is a lot of potential for damage harm and mess—in all senses and all definitions of the word “mess”—during the world cup. Yes out there amongst certain sectors of the public there are some concerns about what Part 5 actually sets out to achieve. However having looked reasonably closely at Part 5 I think it does a fairly good job of recognising the fact that we need to respond to a large number of people who will be seeking entertainment at entertainment venues. 
Some of the points raised in the previous speech were interesting. I have heard bodies referred to as temples; I have even heard one former Prime Minister refer to his body as a warehouse. But to refer to someone’s body as an entertainment venue is a whole new area that perhaps we should not traverse too much tonight. 
This bill responds to the fact that a number of people will be looking for entertainment and that our cities will need to be able to respond to that. It does so in I think a reasonably responsible way. One of the best provisions in the bill is that those who have acquired a licence under this legislation—they have applied to the Rugby World Cup Authority rather than having a standard Sale of Liquor Act licence—will be required in law to provide free water. That is a significant advance and perhaps it is leading the way in terms of changes that we might be able to make to our regular legislation. It is a very sensible provision within the bill; I think it makes a lot of sense. 
I am concerned about the liberalising and opening up of alcohol consumption on cruise ships. My colleague seems quite excited about this but the concept of a booze cruise and people conglomerating on a cruise ship with the one purpose in mind of becoming intoxicated is concerning not least because they are on water and one can fall off a ship. The potential consequences of that are somewhat more dramatic than losing one’s balance in a bar. It is concerning also because of the fact that people are concentrated in an area and there are few options especially once the ship is offshore. Once people are out there they are out there and their options in terms of walking away from the situation are minimised. 
I think it is fair that we discuss this matter a little further. I am certainly open-minded to other members’ opinions on it and I will be in the Chamber to listen to them. I think it is important in a conscience vote that—