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Law changes proposed for alcohol sales rules will treat West Aucklanders like adults by scrapping alcohol licensing trust monopolies, an ACT MP says.
Currently, publicly-owned alcohol licensing trusts operate in West Auckland – as well as Invercargill and Mataura in Southland – are used to run hotels, taverns and off-licences, with the profits going back to the community.
But if passed, MP Simon Court’s member’s bill would abolish all alcohol licensing trust monopolies.
The current system is a mess, with confusing inconsistencies, monopolies and inflated prices, Court said. For example, supermarkets in licensing trust zones are not allowed to sell alcohol, but it can be delivered to people's doors.
Getting rid of the trusts would allow more bars and eateries to emerge, and bring back vibrancy, diversity and colour to local communities, he said.
“A lot of the restrictions are outdated, they’re nanny state, they really don’t recognise that West Auckland is a growing and vibrant part of Auckland ... West Auckland is growing rapidly.”
RNZ
