31 Oct 2008

Sth Auckland liquor stores should close - Sharples

10:06 am on 31 October 2008

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples has told a law and order forum in Manukau he would like to see liquor stores shut down in South Auckland.

Dr Sharples told the largely ethnic audience there are liquor outlets on every fourth street, and all of them should be be closed.

He said many people in South Auckland are quite poor and do not need so many shops selling alcohol.

His comments follow recent violence in the area, and the death of a liquor store owner Navtej Singh in an armed robbery in Manurewa.

National Party law and order spokesperson Simon Power also raised the issue in the forum on Thursday night.

He said a bill before Parliament aimed at curbing the supply of alcohol to minors and the proliferation of liquor outlets should be quickly progressed.