This is edition 2025/135 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Hi all,
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. A lobbying case study: Beating John Key
David Farrar
- 🍷 Key Government's 2010 Alcohol Bill: Aimed to change alcohol laws, including a clause to ban RTDs over 5% strength.
- 🏫 Prime Minister's Influence: The initiative seemed to be personally championed by the then PM, potentially due to seeing teenagers drinking RTDs at his children's school.
- 🧑🔬 Curia's Research: Commissioned by Independent Liquor to conduct focus groups with young drinkers (18-25) and point of sale surveys to understand RTD consumption.
- 📊 Unexpected Findings: Most young drinkers wouldn't switch to 5% RTDs but would opt for wine or self-mixed spirits, often leading to stronger alcohol consumption (around 17%).
- 🚫 Policy's Ineffectiveness: The proposed law change would likely increase harm by encouraging stronger self-mixed drinks, contrary to the government’s intended harm reduction.
- 📑 Research Presented: Curia’s findings were presented to the select committee, MPs, and officials, who were encouraged to conduct their own research.
- ✔️ Policy Change Outcome: Despite the PM's preference, the government dropped the clause from the bill after the research showed its likely negative impact.
- 💼 Industry Advocacy: The industry’s successful opposition wasn’t because of its influence, but because of strong research-backed arguments that challenged the proposed law.
