Q. What is the Law Commission?
The Law Commission is an independent Crown Entity responsible for reviewing New Zealand’s laws and providing law reform advice to the Government.
Q. What has the Commission been asked to do?
The Government has asked the Law Commission to review the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, and any other relevant regulations to see whether changes are needed to reduce the harm to individuals and society associated with the consumption of alcohol in New Zealand.
Q. Why review our alcohol laws?
The law regulating the sale of alcohol in this country is 20 years old, and has been amended many times. The most significant law changes over this period include lowering the purchase age from 20 to 18 years, allowing supermarkets to sell beer and wine and changing the licensing system - changes that have made it easier to sell liquor and harder for the community to influence where and when it is sold.
Q. How will the review fit in with the Government's other alcohol initiatives?
A great deal of work focused on reducing alcohol harm has already been undertaken by a number of government departments and statutory bodies including the Police, Ministry of Health, Justice, Transport and the Alcohol Advisory Council. Individual MPs have also been active in response to their constituents’ concerns.
As a result of this work, a number of alcohol-related Bills are currently before Parliament. The Bills address a range of issues including the rules around alcohol advertising; the supply of alcohol to young people; the rise in road trauma involving alcohol; and the proliferation of liquor outlets.
The Law Commission is working closely with these agencies and has seconded staff from ALAC, Police, Justice and the Ministry of Health working alongside its own legal and policy researchers.
Q. What has the Law Commission been doing?
Law Commission President Sir Geoffrey Palmer and members of the review team have consulted with many groups and individuals with an interest in the issues surrounding alcohol consumption. These meetings have included representatives of all major government departments, leading health researchers, judges, liquor producers and retailers, licensing and enforcement agencies, local bodies, health practitioners, and a range of advocacy groups.
Team members have also spent time with the Police, in particular, getting exposure to the problems associated with the early morning ( 1am-5am ) drinking culture in some of our major cities and towns.
Q. What happens next?
Having launched its issues paper 'Alcohol in our Lives' on 30th July 2009, the Law Commission is open to public submissions for three months. Feedback is required by 30th October 2009. During the three-month consultation period, there will be opportunity for extensive online consultation discussion via TalkLaw. The Law Commission will also hold public consultation meetings in the main centres. Details of these will be available shortly.
After 30th October 2009, the Law Commission will consider the submissions and feedback it has received on its issues paper. It will then prepare a final report, with more detailed policy analysis and key recommendations, due in March 2010. This will be presented to the Government for its consideration as suggested measures for reform. It is then up to the Government to decide what to do with them.
Q. What happens to the public feedback?
Public comment and feedback on the issues and options raised in the issues paper is very important. It will be analysed carefully in the preparation of the final report and will help to shape the Law Commission's recommendations to the Government. It should be noted, however, that the Law Commission is charged with providing independent advice and legal recommendations based on the best available evidence. These may not always align with public opinion.
Q. How can I contact the Liquor Project Coordinator?
You can email the Liquor Project Coordinator at liquor@lawcom.govt.nz
Q. Where can I find more information?
Visit the 'library' section to download the Issues Paper: 'Alcohol in our Lives'. There will be further resources added to the library frequently
Visit our home website at www.lawcom.govt.nz for more information about other projects we are working on.
