10. Question No. 10—JusticeANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 10—Justice10. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister of Justice: What changes will the Government progress to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): On 30 October I announced that local communities will be given greater powers to reduce alcohol harm. When the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act was introduced by the National Government it aimed to ensure the safe and reasonable sale and consumption of alcohol. But the Act hadn't worked as intended creating a system that leaves communities struggling in silence in their fight against the powerful alcohol industry. We want to tilt the balance back to communities and I intend on introducing a bill proposing procedural changes to the alcohol licensing process this year with the aim of passing it into law by mid - next year.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What amendments are being made to the local alcohol policy process?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: We will amend the Act to remove the appeal process for local alcohol policies whilst retaining the avenues for judicial review. The current system is costing councils and ratepayers millions of dollars in legal fees as alcohol companies and supermarkets have thwarted efforts by local councils to limit the sale of alcohol in their communities. As at May 2022 86 percent of provisional local alcohol policies have been appealed by supermarkets and 73 percent by bottle stores. Five councils including the four largest authorities—accounting for half of the total population—have halted or completely abandoned their efforts to implement local alcohol policies due to this imbalance.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What other changes to alcohol licensing procedures are being considered?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: The Government is also looking to amend rules around the public's ability to object to a new or renewed alcohol licence application and how objectors can make their case at a licensing hearing. I've heard loud and clear that this part of the Act isn't working. The current process is too formal with some community groups saying they've felt intimidated and harassed while under cross examination by highly experienced lawyers representing the interests of those in the alcohol industry. It was always envisaged that people would have the opportunity to be heard when it comes to how alcohol is sold locally and we intend to make changes to ensure that that is indeed the case.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What reactions has she seen to the announcement?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I've heard a range of positive reactions to the announcement including from Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Dr Nicki Jackson who said: Councils have told us that this is one thing that is really preventing them from putting good policies in place. The appeals process has been totally broken and it needs to be fixed." Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local board member Nick Bakulich said: "It's hard not to get a bit emotional about this. This particular move will empower people to stand up to the alcohol industry." And my good mate Chlöe Swarbrick said she was "stoked" by the Government's decision and that "It's restoring local democracy by removing the special appeals processes abused by corporations.""