Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye says she will table an amendment to the Government’s proposed alcohol reform legislation seeking to keep the alcohol purchase age at 18.

Yesterday, the Government announced its alcohol reform package including measures to reduce alcohol-related harm. These include a split purchase-age proposal, where people must be 18 to drink in bars but 20 to buy from an off-licence. The Minister of Justice announced that the split purchase-age proposal will be dealt with as a conscience vote by National MPs.

Ms Kaye says that she supports the proposed alcohol reforms as a balanced package that will help control alcohol supply, reduce demand, and limit alcohol-related problems, but she feels very strongly that increasing the purchase age is an ineffective tool to combat youth binge drinking.

“On principle, I believe that if someone can be elected to Parliament, get married or join the army, then they should be able to buy a bottle of wine at a bottle store.

“Lifting the purchase age would be ineffective at tackling binge drinking – an issue that affects a much wider cross section of our society than just 18 and 19 year olds.”

Ms Kaye believes that the right approach is one of shared responsibility. She says that if we are serious about changing the culture of binge drinking we must ask the question why people are drinking to excess.

“I am pleased to see Government initiatives restricting supply of alcohol to under 18 year olds and making those who supply alcohol to youth responsible for their actions. These measures will make a difference to youth binge drinking – something the split purchase age will not do.”

Ms Kaye intends tabling an amendment to the proposed alcohol reform legislation after it has been introduced.

ENDS