Sue Kedgley:..”..So the Government has capitulated to lobbying by the alcohol industry, and will no longer set limits on the amount of alcohol in alcopops or Ready to Drinks, as they are called in the trade.
I feared this would happen when, 18 months ago, a smooth talking Australian lawyer representing Independent Liquor flew in from Sydney to speak to the select committee that was hearing submissions on the Alcohol Reform Bill.
In the nicest possible way, he made what I saw us threats to the members of Parliament who were present on that day.
Flanked by Mark Unsworth, one of the country’s pre-eminent lobbyists, he pointed out that under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Treaty with Australia – a product that could legally be sold in Australia could also be sold in New Zealand.
Therefore, he said, if you propose a ban on RTDs with more than 5 per cent alcohol in them we will simply ignore your ban -
- import them from Australia and sell them in New Zealand.
And there will be nothing your government can do to stop their sales, he said triumphantly…”
(cont..)
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New Zealand Liquor Reform: RTD U-Turn Means Youth… | Stuff.co.nz.
