Govt abandons need for evidence in decision making on alcohol harm

Stuff reports:

The Government will take on alcohol retailers by tilting the playing field towards communities in licencing decisions, and alcohol sponsorship will be reviewed.

Actually it tips it away from communities towards politicians. It means that no one in the community will be able to appeal against the regulations put in place by the local council.

Justice Minister Kiri Allan announced on Sunday the Government would be removing the ability for alcohol companies and retailers to challenge a community’s local alcohol policies, an appeals process she said was costing councils and ratepayers “millions” in legal fees.

Actually they are removing the ability for anyone at all to appeal. And the reason there have been so many appeals is because the Councils are so incompetent. All they have to do is have some evidence to back up their proposed rules, but they have been incapable of that. So the response is to throw out the law allowing decisions to be challenged on the basis they are unreasonable. The Government is saying that Councils should have the ability to place any restriction they want, no matter how unreasonable.

Stuff also reports:

Changes to alcohol licensing laws will force some small operators out of business, a Wellington bar owner says.

Matt McLaughlin​, director of Hoff Hospitality Group, said he agreed current rules weren’t working and supported alcohol law reform.

However, taking away the appeals process wasn’t the answer.

“It’s not democratic and it’s not fair – everywhere else in our justice system you have the right to appeal,” he said.

“If you take that right away from small businesses, it’s game over for them. Supermarkets will survive, small businesses won’t.”

Councils will be able to impose all sorts of rules, without any evidence they reduce harm, on small businesses such as cafes, bars and bottle stars.