Cabinet Paper Leak Suggests Minister Nicole McKee’s U-Turn on Alcohol Sales Reform

A leaked Cabinet paper has raised questions about a potential shift in the government’s approach to alcohol sales reform, with Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee seemingly moving away from plans to restrict bottle store and supermarket opening hours. Instead, the focus appears to be shifting toward reducing regulatory burdens on the alcohol industry.

McKee, who leads the reform of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, initially proposed changing off-licence sale hours from the current 7am to 11pm to a more restricted 9am to 9pm window. The original Cabinet paper highlighted a strong correlation between later opening hours and increased violent crime, estimating that a 9pm closing time could prevent up to 2,400 violent victimisations annually.

However, the leaked documents indicate that this proposal has now been dropped. Instead, the updated paper suggests that current local policies, such as those in Auckland and Christchurch, which already enforce a 9pm closing time, are sufficient to address concerns about license hours.

Minister McKee has expressed disappointment over the leak, stating that it undermines the integrity of the public service and erodes public trust. She emphasized that the revised reforms would focus on reducing red tape for law-abiding businesses, arguing that the current legal framework left by the previous government is overly complex and burdensome.

In the updated Cabinet paper, McKee proposes changes that would allow clubs and bars to serve alcohol outside normal trading hours during major sporting or cultural events. Additionally, the paper suggests that objections to liquor licences should only come from those directly impacted by the application, rather than from any individual or group.

Andrew Galloway, executive director of Alcohol Healthwatch, criticized the shift, warning that restricting off-licence trading hours could have had a significant impact on reducing alcohol-related harm. He noted that off-licences, which sell over 80% of alcohol in New Zealand, are often concentrated in the most deprived areas, where alcohol harm is most prevalent.

Galloway expressed concern that the government is missing opportunities to address alcohol harm by allowing the alcohol industry to exert too much influence. He warned that without meaningful restrictions, New Zealand will continue to struggle with the economic and social costs of hazardous drinking.

As the debate over alcohol reform continues, the leaked Cabinet paper has sparked a wider discussion about the balance between public health, safety, and the interests of the alcohol industry. With the revised reforms set to be presented to a Cabinet committee, the outcome of this shift in policy remains to be seen.