Anyway – The Bill passed its second reading on 13 September and is expected to receive its third and final reading in March 2012.

As yet I havent seen a revised version of the September Bill (That is what happens) and matters are further complicated by MPs private Bills about the drinking age – more info to follow.

For your further information the general operation of what happens now will not change a lot – this is a brief summary of the significant changes expected (so still a maybe).

1. Off Licences.
- Supermarkets and Grocery Stores to be reduced to display and advertise liquor to a restricted and single, non-prominent area of the store.
- A big NO to ”Convienience” stores.
- Grocery Stores must have a wide range of food products and household items and prove the princial business is food products and those will be defined more.

2. On Licences for Taverns
- Will be allowed to open earlier for ”breakfasts” but not sell liquor until existing licence hours.

3. Trading Hours
- Restricted to 8am to 4am but of course will still be linked to local Council Policy – with the exception allowing Specials beyond that for genuine events.

4. Much more powers to the local DLA who will be able to deal with opposed applications. Can still appeal to the LLA. (By the way they both get new names).

5. Managers certificates – must be over 20 years

I am at a bit of a loss to see any significant stuff in here that can contribute to reducing Liquor Abuse?
Isnt that is what this is supposed to be about?
Mostly there just seems to be more operating hurdles and restrictions. Alcohol is NOT the demon drink for everybody – so have the writers and MPs ever considered adding incentives to the conditions for good operators…. I could go on and on actually so thats enough for now – more info later.
Ross

Most sources are advising that it is very unlikely to be passed before the November elections – so that makes it a new year job. Then there is a lead in period most likely of 12-months – so dont expect much to become effective now until late 2012 or even 2013.

But may be thats a good thing – this has to be done properly and not RUSHED without thought as it was in the 1999 amendment to the 89 Act. Thats when our problems really began.

INTOXICATED.
This synonym for ‘drunk’ has a history that goes back, by way of poison, to a deadly weapon. A distant root is the Greek word toxon. meanting ‘a bow, or bow and arrows’. (A highfalutin English word for archery is toxophily.)
The poison a Greek archer would use to tip his arrows was toxin pharmakon, ‘a drug for the bow’, or simply toxicon.

The Latin form toxicum came to mean simply ‘poison’, and the Medievel Latin verb intoxicare meant ‘to put poison into’ or ‘to poison’. So the Emglish word intoxicated originally meant ‘poisoned’, and then specifically ‘poisoned by drink’ – or just plain ‘drunk’.

Now thats confusing – one could name certain alcoholic products as such poison.

So I think the word should be changed in the new Act………..
Heres the Googled definition of intoxicated - or one of them;
To stupify or excite.
To stimulate or excite.
To poison.

Thats no help – you can be intoxicated by a womans perfume – doesnt mean you are drunk.

The definitions also go on to give linked words and here we have the solution to the new wording;
Nappy - A beer with a foaming head – or slightly intoxicated. So you could be nappy with one nappy?
Capernoited – Slightly intoxicated.
Temulent – drunken or intoxicated

So its illegal to be temulent or to serve a temulent person.
If someone is nappy or capernoited then you should be monitoring them but could probably carry on serving.

I am still confused.

Get the name right Ross – we have the Sale of Liquor Act – the probable replacement at this stage is in the Alcohol Reform Bill.

At some stage soon I will put up a summary of the ”proposed” changes from the original Bill.

The submissions closed on 18 February and I understand there were a massive amount for the committee to wade through – like 5000!

Now they are meeting on a regular basis and considering the submissions that will be drafted in to new legislation – so some of those suggestions may not happen or could be altered significantly.

HANZ and ALAC advise that the likely timeframe from now is, firstly the select committee are to report back to Parliament – due 23 June.
Parliament debates and votes.
The Legislation will be passed in to law to come in to force on a specified date.
New law should to commence before the election in November – but with a likely 12-month lead in period.

Will keep you posted.
Ross