SpeechCLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First): Thank you Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of New Zealand First to take a call on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Rugby World Cup 2019 Extended Trading Hours) Amendment Bill—what a mouthful that is. And what a déjà vu it feels like because just four years ago we were standing in a similar place—well actually I was standing over there but I know how it feels. I just want to also acknowledge the work that Amy Adams has done last term to make sure that this bill is right for the play. New Zealand First has taken a great amount of time in being part of those discussions to ensure that we have a sensible pragmatic approach to being able to have a beer on a licensed premises to watch part of New Zealand culture unfold in front of our very eyes with friends and family and colleagues. That's what it's all about.I have to say I'm a little bit surprised at some of the members in the House that are not supporting this particularly because it is about our culture and it is about connectivity and social intercourse amongst our communities and I think this bill goes a long way to address some of these issues for the short term. But the bigger issue is ensuring that we actually fix this up because in 2012 we introduced the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Bill and it really is a bit of a bugger's muddle. The issue really comes down to the interpretation of what is an event and that is completely subjective. In fact in the bill here it says It is common for DLCs"—those are district licensing committees—"when considering a special licence application to require a special event to take place on the premises—for example a guest speaker a band or a fundraising event. Televising the Rugby World Cup does not align well with these types of events which is making it difficult for some licensees to extend their trading hours for the tournament."Yet having exactly the same legislation throughout New Zealand some DLCs and local alcohol policies completely acknowledge that the likes of the Rugby World Cup or the Cricket World Cup are events that should be considered to be a special event but we've got some more restrictive areas and interpretations that would say that they're not. Being involved heavily over my previous career before politics in hospitality—and I actually was a chair for the Hospitality Association of New Zealand—I found different parts of the country quite interesting to deal with. In Wellington a number of years ago I found them to be very very open and supportive of events such as the Wellington Sevens for example and would encourage licensed premises to put in a special application to extend trading hours to ensure that people could be on a safe licensed premises. In fact you're probably safer on a licensed premises than you are drinking at home or at somebody else's house at a barbecue. We had other places around the country—and I don't want to name some of those areas—where their perception of liquor licensing and special events was completely different and on some occasions they would make us get all of our staff dressed up specifically and put balloons and streamers around to make it a special event but in actual fact all we were wanting to do was play the rugby. The simple act of having a beer or a wine or even not to drink—you can drink a Coca-Cola and have a bowl of fries—on a licensed premises where you have a licensed manager and you have a duty manager you've got licensed security you have food available for all hours of the time that the premises is trading and you've got trained staff who have got very strong regulations and rules around who they can serve and checking for ID—why wouldn't we enable them to come to a licensed premises to enjoy the atmosphere and be with friends and family and colleagues to watch a special event?Some parts of Australia have actually entered into a new age of thinking and looking at this dilemma that they have where they have identified a number of events in certain states that they consider games of national significance and those specific events on those times that they're played if they are outside of your licence hours providing you follow the rules and regulations to ensure that you give plenty of notice to your local authority and to the police and providing you have food and security and all the other things that go with a safe premises—they can actually play those events beyond their licensed hours. I think as part of some reforms moving forward this House needs to consider bringing into play some ideas along those lines where we list the likes of the Cricket World Cup the Rugby World Cup the Football World Cup the Netball World Cup hockey etc. and of course the Olympic Games to name a few that we could actually identify so that in four years' time we do not have to sit here to discuss the next Rugby World Cup the Netball World Cup or the Cricket World Cup and we can actually sit around and enjoy the social intercourse with friends and family. I think it's very pragmatic. I just want to say that New Zealand First has of course been very very supportive of this role in 2015 and 2019—and of course in 2011 we had the Rugby World Cup here in New Zealand. There were some minor technical amendments made to ensure that licensed premises were able to operate within the confines of the law because of course volume numbers were up. But I just want to go back and just finish off my contribution to say good luck to our men in black. Over the last few tests that we've had I have to say I was watching the South Africa—Hon Michael Woodhouse: And the parliamentary rugby team.CLAYTON MITCHELL: I'm not on the parliamentary rugby team unfortunately but I wish them all the very best this term as well. I have to say that watching the All Blacks take on South Africa and we came to a draw there—I was sort of a bit perplexed as to you know the improvements that were required from the team. Then we took on the Wallabies and much to my dismay I was shocked to see that we had a first round loss and I felt the despair around my friends and family and colleagues. There was certainly a lowering of enthusiasm but they have certainly reinstated the faith of New Zealand after that absolutely resounding win over the Wallabies the weekend before last with 36-0. I do have to say that New Zealand the All Blacks—good luck go forward be strong. We have got a very good chance of taking three in a row but it's not going to be easy. Watch out for those Northern Hemisphere Blighties up the top end of the world because they're playing pretty good rugby too. I hope to see this proceed through the House expediently as I'm sure it will today. Thank you very much."