Bishop protecting race goers from the zealots

Stuff reports:

For many communities the days of bringing your own beer or wine to race meetings are already over, but proposed new legislation could see them return and keep police out of meddling in future events. 

A new members billl, to be put forward by MP for Hutt South Chris Bishop, aims to clarify the law around BYO alcohol areas at race meetings. 

“A glass of wine or beer in the sun with some chips and dip is a Kiwi tradition. Some race meets have allowed BYO for more than 135 years,” he said in a statement.

Yep. I recall a great day at the Castlepoint races a few years ago. A few beers while watching the horses compete.

Bishop said in a statement that his bill would allow families and communities to carry on the tradition of chilly bin and a hamper at the races.
“My bill makes it clear that racing clubs and race meetings are not the intended targets of section 235 of the Sale and Supply of Liquor Act. The bill provides an exemption from section 235 for racing clubs on the days of race meetings when the club holds either an on-licence or an on-site special licence that applies to the race meeting.”
Earlier in the year, Racing Minister Winston Peters attacked ‘bureaucratic shiny bums’ who were interfering in BYO alcohol at race meetings, Bishop said.
“This is a common sense change to the law that will essentially allow the status quo at community run race meets to continue.”

As usual Peters is good at attacking problems but never does anything to fix them. So Bishop has done what Peters should have done as Minister.

In fact the bill is based on the report from the NZ Racing Board to the Minister.

So will NZ First back this bill. It will pass into law, if they do.