Radio New Zealand

Justice Minister Simon Power says the Government will accept all of the changes recommended by a select committee to proposed liquor law reforms.

The Alcohol Reform Bill was reported back to Parliament on Thursday after public submissions to the Justice and Electoral select committee.

The legislation aims to better control the granting of liquor licences and make it harder to provide alcohol to minors.

The select committee report recommends that shops and supermarkets should only display alcohol in one part of the store that is not prominent.

Mr Power says he agrees with the committee's recommendation to extend the proposed ban on the sale of liquor to include not only dairies and petrol stations, but also convenience stores.

Select committee chairperson Chester Borrows says Parliament never intended for alcohol to be available at dairies and corner shops. He says if people want to buy alcohol from a food outlet, it will be from a grocery shop rather than the local store.

Debate on the legislation will also result in a vote on changing the legal age for purchasing alcohol to 18 for pubs and clubs, and 20 to buy from an off-licence.

This is traditionally a conscience vote for MPs, but Radio New Zealand's political staff say this may not happen before Parliament rises for the election on 26 November.

Other recommendations relate to licensing, liquor bans, and police and military bars.

Justice Minister Simon Power says the Government has taken note of the thousands of submissions received and will accept the 130 substantive recommendations.