Ban scheme 'should go nationwide'

BY TRACY NEAL

A Nelson publican behind the launch of a protocol giving managers of licensed premises in Nelson and Tasman the power to ban unruly drinkers wants to see the scheme extended around the country.

Little Rock Bar and Nightclub owner Ron Taylor wants legal avenues set up that would allow information on badly behaved patrons to be shared among all licensed premises in the country.

He will submit the idea to the Law Commission review that seeks to curb the harms associated with the misuse of alcohol in New Zealand.

Mr Taylor, who has been named a finalist for excellence in host responsibility in a national hospitality awards programme to be announced next month, said at a public meeting in Nelson yesterday on the Law Commission review that the protocol in place across 42 licensed premises in Nelson and Tasman was now showing up as a powerful tool in deterring bad behaviour.

Under the agreement, unruly drinkers banned from one bar can be banned from every bar in the group for between three months and two years.

Mr Taylor said nine people in Nelson and Tasman had been banned under the protocol in the 18 months it had been operating. Four or five of the bans were still current.

Nelson Bays police area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said outside the meeting some mechanics of the protocol needed to be worked through, but the concept was a "really good idea".

Mr Taylor said managers of establishments in the local network shared information about patrons refused entry. He now wanted a website set up on which those details, including photos of banned patrons, could be distributed nationally.

He did not think it would be hard to set up, "but we need the law to help us". He suggested giving police the power to ticket people "on the night", much the same as they did with traffic cases. That would set in motion a court process that might open the way for a ban to be imposed on an offender among all participating establishments.

The idea attracted keen interest from Law Commission President Sir Geoffrey Palmer, who headed yesterday's meeting to gather public feedback on the draft reforms.

He said it was pleasing to see local arrangements were being put in place and that people were not waiting for a law change to try to make a difference.

His visit, on which he was accompanied by the commission's senior policy and media adviser, Cate Brett, was part of a series of consultation meetings being held across the country to encourage public debate on the issues and ideas for law reform outlined in the Law Commission's paper, Alcohol in our Lives.

Sir Geoffrey said New Zealand was not uniform on the issues it faced, so it was important the team got around to find out what the problems were in different regions.

About 50 members of the public, including representatives of Nelson's health, justice, youth and education sectors, attended the meeting and provided keen debate on a range of options for addressing New Zealand's alcohol problems.

Some sought to deflect the heat from youth drinking habits, while others blamed parents, the media and "popular culture" for the problems. There was general support for the idea of a ban on advertising alcohol, as research showed that profile and price were key drivers in consumption.

Public opinion is being sought on a reduction in the hours alcohol can be purchased, increasing the tax on alcohol, and the introduction of a split purchase age for alcohol that would allow young people to drink on a licensed premises at 18 and purchase from an off-licence at 20.

It is also asking for feedback on whether to make it an infringement offence to be intoxicated in a public place, whether to provide greater restrictions on the way alcohol is marketed, and whether to allow further community involvement in licensing decisions.

The Law Commission will use public comments to help frame recommendations to the Government in a final report due in March 2010.

For more information, call 0800 303030. The public can also send a submission to the Commission, participate in online forums and download Alcohol in our Lives at talklaw.co.nz. Submissions close on October 30.

WHAT WAS SAID

Reform of New Zealand Liquor Laws attracted keen debate at a public meeting in Nelson yesterday.

Here's what some had to say: "Why is it cool to get drunk and when we throw up our mates take a picture and put it on Facebook?" Law Commission President Sir Geoffrey Palmer.

"The problem often is with the very young. My personal view is the type of drinks attracting young people are more like lollipops. They don't taste like you're going to get a hangover." Alison Heslop, Nelson branch president of the National Council of Women.

"New South Wales studies show the flavour of these drinks appeals to the 14 to 16-year age group. I don't believe this was any sort of accident." Nelson Marlborough Alcohol and Other Drug Service addiction specialist Lee Nixon.

"It's commonly seen as being a youth problem we have to try and get past. Being a target creates an `us and them approach'." NMIT student association president Rachel Boyack.

"A lot of parents are to blame here. It should be made illegal for parents to give minors alcohol, even at a family function." Barbara Doig.

"So many parents no longer feel empowered to take on the issue." Lee Nixon.

"I want to be able to give my daughter a drink at the table, but I don't have a right to give her friends a bottle of vodka." NMIT tutor Philip Reay.

"We have to be careful about tinkering with on-licence hours. I'm very concerned because I want our teens who are old enough to be able to drink in a supervised environment." Hospitality Association Nelson branch president Paul Max.

"Jolly alcohol is a poison. Why does anyone have to drink it in the first place?" Elaine Hadfield, retired nurse.

- © Fairfax NZ News