Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Speak up on alcohol bill, Pacific community urged

Updated at 10:04 am on 14 November 2010

Members of the Pacific Island community are being urged to put their views on the number of liquor outlets and issues such as binge-drinking to a Parliamentary select committee.

The Alcohol Reform Bill passed its first reading in Parliament on Thursday by 114 votes to three, and goes to a select committee for public submissions.

The legislation seeks to better control the granting of liquor licences, make it harder to provide alcohol to minors, and limit the strength of pre-mixed drinks.

A Samoan leader, Malia Tua'i, says people in South Auckland have already been vocal about getting the number of liquor outlets in the area cut and must keep pushing to be heard.

Cook Islands community advocate Alfred Ngaro says the community knows first hand how binge drinking affects families and MPs need to hear that.

Labour MP Su'a William Sio says the community must ask who is responsible for the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol.

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