Macindoe Tim: Alcohol Reform Bill — Procedure In Committee 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Macindoe Tim: Alcohol Reform Bill — Procedure In Committee 
[Sitting date: 23 October 2012. Volume:685;Page:6054. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West) 
: 
 It is very good to see this measure the Alcohol Reform Bill back before the House. Right around the country New Zealanders will be saying that they are delighted that we are debating this measure today and they look forward to seeing it being adopted as the law of this land. Can I begin by acknowledging the work of the former chair of the Justice and Electoral Committee the Hon Chester Borrows who did an outstanding job on this bill along with all the members in the previous Parliament who worked incredibly hard and I acknowledge that that includes members from all sides of the House. They heard an enormous number of submissions. They considered many more written submissions. They engaged with New Zealanders and they took their points of view on board. 
I also want to acknowledge our present Minister of Justice for her work since she has become the Minister for her determination to strengthen the bill and in particular for her determination to tackle the issue of parental supply of alcohol to minors. And when I talk about parental supply I am not talking just about parents of their own children; in particular I am talking about those who supply alcohol to other people’s children. We have sadly experienced many tragedies in this land as a result of the very irresponsible supply of alcohol to minors and I think the Minister should be commended for her courage in facing up to that issue and for providing a mechanism by which parents will at long last be able to exercise far greater control. I as a father would want to know if somebody else was supplying alcohol to my children that I had the right to say “Perhaps a little bit but only under certain conditions and certainly under strict supervision with responsible provision of food and other matters provided for.” This is a vitally important measure. 
There are over 130 positive measures in this bill. It is the first significant tightening of liquor legislation in my lifetime. The bill adopts and enacts the vast majority of the Law Commission’s recommendations for reform. Many people listening could be forgiven for thinking otherwise from what they have heard but it is worth repeating: the bill adopts the vast majority of the Law Commission’s recommendations for reform. Yes there are some who would like to see it go even further and I respect their views but I firmly reject any suggestion that the measures in this bill will not be effective or are not significant. They are and they will be. 
Part 1 of this bill which covers preliminary matters hints through its definitions at many of these very significant aspects including the provision of local alcohol plans. That is something that is warmly welcomed in my city of Hamilton and—I was listening carefully to the Hon Lianne Dalziel before—I am sure it is equally so if not more so in Christchurch where they have the additional problem now as a result of the devastation caused by the earthquakes of alcohol spreading and spreading throughout the suburbs. The need to have these local alcohol plans was highlighted in a television news feature that I saw the other night and I am sure that the citizens of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury area will particularly welcome that measure. 
The focus in the bill on the reduction of alcohol-related harm is real and very significant. A tighter definition of retail outlets that may sell alcohol is warmly welcomed in my area and I am sure around the country as are tighter rules about where alcohol may be sold within those licensed premises. Restrictions on the marketing of alcohol especially to young people are vitally important. And so it goes on. There is much in this bill that is to be welcomed individually but collectively it is of great significance and it is inconceivable that these measures will not make a difference. Therefore it is disappointing to hear some scaremongering from opponents particularly on other sides of this House. Those particular claims in many respects lack credibility when successive Governments have in fact presided over regular liberalising of our alcohol laws. This is the first Government to face up to the issues and to tighten the laws. 
Like the Minister of Justice and Mr O’Rourke who spoke earlier I too was naturally very disappointed that my Supplementary Order Paper seeking to raise the minimum purchase age for alcohol was narrowly defeated at the end of August. I make the point that a clear majority of MPs actually voted for change when the first vote was taken. I think in fact it was 71 votes to 50. So the final vote in favour of the status quo I have to say seems a bit perverse. But there it is. We must move on from that. I just want to say that I call on youth leaders—