The Government has announced a comprehensive package to reform alcohol law. The package responds to the Law Commission's review of New Zealand’s alcohol laws. It adopts in full, or in part, 126 of the Law Commission's 153 recommendations as well as making other changes.
The response is discussed in Cabinet Paper: Alcohol Law Reform.
The Government intends introducing legislation in October 2010 creating a Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to implement its decisions. The public will have the opportunity to comment on this legislation when it is considered by a Select Committee.
The Law Commission's review of the law and policies relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol began in 2008. In 2009, the Minister of Justice, Simon Power, asked the Law Commission to make the review a priority and to report back a year earlier than originally intended.
The Law Commission published its final report, Alcohol in Our Lives: Curbing the Harm in April 2010.
Regulatory Impact Statement
The Regulatory Impact Statement: Alcohol law reform has been prepared by the Ministry of Justice. It provides an analysis of regulatory interventions to lessen the harm associated with alcohol use in New Zealand.
