Sio Hon Aupito WilliamHon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO (Associate Minister of Justice): Thank you Mr Speaker. It needs to be stated for this House that the Labour Party's convention when it comes to issues of alcohol is that it votes as a conscience issue. I want to also say to the National Party speakers and I'd ask Mr Simeon Brown who's in the House and the representative of Pakuranga—can he ask his members whether they are blind or do they not care? Because I don't think there's any member in this House who doesn't recognise that alcohol has a direct link to the harm that is often caused in our communities. And all they need to do is to visit their local A & E in the early hours of the morning and they'll see that. But I think when they are so consumed with protecting the interests of the industry protecting profit and profiteering they seem then to be blind to the harm that is often caused and that we often see. I think every politician needs to be concerned about that.But getting back the scaremongering that comes from that side of the House also misses the mark. The bill that we are debating tonight is not anti-liquor is not anti-business this—Hon Iain Lees-Galloway: It's not prohibition.Hon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO: It's not prohibition. This bill recognises that we have an existing culture that allows for the sale and supply of alcohol. All this bill sets out to do is to enable communities who have established a local alcohol policy to have some influence on the decisions that the liquor licencing authorities will make at the renewal of those licensed to sell.I give you a number of examples of why it should be a concern. The 2012 Act allows for a local alcohol policy. In my community we have a local alcohol policy that says alcohol should not be sold near or opposite a school yet that exists. I have a school Southern Cross Campus who has year in year out advocated that that licence not be renewed because of the harm that is caused and because of the practices that are inconsistent with the law by selling to underage drinkers. Despite the police being supportive of that local alcohol policy that licence continues to be renewed because the law as it stands does not recognise the interests of that local community. That needs to be made quite clear. This is not anti-business. It is not about prohibiting liquor. It is about enabling communities who have established a local alcohol policy who recognise the harm that alcohol causes in our communities to at least have an inside influence when those decisions are made. I want to acknowledge New Zealand First. I appreciate and acknowledge you for allowing this bill to go to first reading. I think the evidence from those who are involved at the grassroots—community organisations some of our academics—is important for us to hear.The other harm that we ought to be concerned about is the disease that is caused by mothers who drink alcohol. I can't remember the name of the disease.Dr Liz Craig: Foetal alcohol syndrome.Hon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO: Foetal alcohol syndrome. That should be a concern. That is a direct link to the availability of alcohol.The other concern is it may be—in their case there's probably a couple of alcohol outlets. But in low-income hard working-class communities we have a proliferation of alcohol outlets and those communities fight day in day out to say that enough is enough. We're not trying to ban it. It's available all around in our supermarkets. We're simply saying that where there's sufficient outlets surely that is enough. Surely the harm that is caused in our communities should be a concern to the decision makers of this country particularly in this House. So that needs to be made clear.I want to thank Louisa because I think Louisa that you bringing this bill forward—SPEAKER: Order!Hon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO: It means that the member Louisa Wall is listening to the local community. So on behalf of the people of Māngere we support this bill.