Auckland Council has unanimously passed a motion calling on MPs to support Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick’s Members’ bill to minimise alcohol harm - an unprecedented step that puts pressure on Parliament to act.
“Auckland Council’s support of the Harm Minimisation Bill, against the backdrop of many MPs saying they’re concerned about alcohol-related crimes, must drive action. I’m urging MPs across the House to come together and do what’s right for their communities and support the Bill,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.
“Barely a day goes by that we don’t hear of the harm alcohol is doing in our communities. Yet Parliament has let years go by without meaningfully acting.
“Alcohol harm isn’t inevitable. Removing the special appeal process so alcohol companies and supermarket corporates cannot block local communities from putting in place the rules they want, and ending alcohol sponsorship of sport will provide wellbeing benefits for all New Zealanders and improve health equity.
“Auckland Council, along with councils all across the country, needs MPs to act. Because of the complete imbalance in the current law, Auckland Council has been prevented from finalising their Local Alcohol Policy since 2015. It has racked up a legal bill in excess of a million dollars simply to support and protect communities’ wishes on liquor policy. The Harm Minimisation Bill will rebalance the law and ensure communities have real control and the final say over liquor sales in their neighbourhoods.
“Speaker’s rulings now allow Bills that have the support of 61 non-executive MPs to skip the ballot. After a whole lot of talk, I’m asking MPs across the Chamber to support this Bill to bypass the ballot and have its day in the House. I’m asking them to give power back to their communities and to put their money where their mouth is in preventing alcohol harm.”
“Shout out to Cr Josephine Bartley for putting forward this motion and Cr Efeso Collins for seconding it. Thank you to Auckland Councillors of all stripes who supported this motion. I hope my colleagues will take your lead and do the same,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.
Further information
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Harm Minimisation) Amendment Bill was added to the Members’ ballot in July 2021.
The Bill will:
- remove the anomaly of special appeals on Local Alcohol Policies
- end alcohol advertising in and sponsorship of sports, implementing recommendations from the 2014 Ministerial Forum on Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship
ENDS
Latest Auckland Issues Announcements
Story
Luxon confirms criminalisation of those he’s made homeless
Story
Luxon chooses to punish the homeless after making more people homeless
Story
Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Story
Waka Kotahi miss the boat on community needs for Waiheke ferry services
Story
A new life for St James Theatre
Story
Auckland flood response report requires urgent action
Latest Drug Law Reform Announcements
Story
Green Party Bill to protect overdose emergency callers from legal risks receives cross party support
Story
Member’s Bill an opportunity to save lives
Story
Green Party calls for law change to aid overdose response
Story
Greens cheers community win to reduce alcohol harm
Story
Greens welcome Government joining the party to deal with disposable vapes
Story