Key defends alcohol bill

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Prime Minister John Key has defended the Government's decision not to include a minimum price in the alcohol reform legislation.

The Alcohol Reform Bill, which was reported back from select committee yesterday, allows for the collection of data needed to set a minimum price but does not go as far as saying one will be brought in.

Opponents have said the legislative changes do not go far enough.

Green MP Sue Kedgley said debate on the issue had highlighted several issues, but the Government had ignore advice.

"We'll never reduce our binge drinking culture if we allow alcohol to be sold so cheaply that young people can load up for binge drinking sessions every weekend."

Labour MPs on the committee wanted to see minimum pricing implemented at the point of sale by the retailer.

But, Key said there were questions about whether a minimum price scheme would work and whether they could be raised enough.

"I think the recommendations from the select committee look quite a solid set of recommendations to me, they're quite wide ranging."

Everyone accepted the alcohol culture in New Zealand needed to change but only so much of that came from changing the rules.

Alcohol Advisory Council chief executive Gerard Vaughan said a minimum pricing regime could not be brought in overnight and the research needed to be done.

There was no international example to draw on, he said.

Scotland's Parliament was currently debating whether to introduce minimum pricing and a similar scheme was in play in Canada where the Government owns all the liquor outlets.

"It's not as if we could just make a decision and implement a minimum pricing regime tomorrow."

The Justice Ministry had begun work on the research and background work needed.

It needed to be decided how the system would work, what the price would be and where the extra profits would go - to alcohol companies or the state, Vaughan.

- © Fairfax NZ News