Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

Come 4am on Monday, April 25, new liquor licensing laws will take affect for ANZAC day celebrations at RSAs around the country.

New Zealand First supported a private members bill in the name of Paul Foster-Bell last Wednesday to fast track an amendment to the 2012 Sale and Supply of Alcohol Legislation to allow alcohol to be served for the gunshot breakfast and early morning tipple at RSAs on this special day of remembrance. Alcohol will be available from 4am until 1pm at all registered RSAs around New Zealand from this year – the 100th year since RSA's were established – forward.

This is the second time in seven months the 2012 Sale and Supply of Alcohol has been amended since it was introduced only four years ago. This would suggest the original legislation was flawed and not fit for purpose. New Zealand First has asked for a full review of the legislation to ensure it is fit for purpose, to clear up any ambiguity and frustration the current law has created and to provide consistent implementation throughout New Zealand.

Seven months ago, another private members bill was also fast-tracked through the house to allow extended hours of trading for licensed premises – pubs and clubs – in time for patrons to watch the Rugby World Cup without the need for premises to apply for special licensing. Due to the lack of careful forethought, there was a lot of uncertainty around how Police and councils would interpret the law and whether they would even permit the extension of trading hours.

Current legislation looks more like a scrapbook with post-it notes, codicils, redactions and rewrites instead of being legislation fit for the 21st Century. That's why we're calling for a review of the full legislation. It's time to get it right.