Alcohol advertising clamp down rejected

Moves to clamp down on alcohol advertising were roundly rejected by Government MPs late last night.

Parliament continued lengthy debate on the committee stage of the Alcohol Reform Bill.

Labour's Iain Lees-Galloway wanted there to be zones around schools where there can be no alcohol advertising, the TV watershed moved to 9pm, no liquor ads during children's movies and discounting of alcohol excluded from promotional material.

He cited areas of South Auckland where there is a plethora of advertising of cheap alcohol in areas surrounding schools.

Labour's Lianne Dalziel says almost every submitter on the bill had strong views on ads.

Of the 2,281 submissions, 86 percent supported banning or restricting advertising of all alcohol in all media.

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows says the Government has already agreed to establish an expert forum to consider further restrictions on alcohol ads and sponsorship.

There was a vote two months ago, to keep the purchase age at 18.

Mana leader Hone Harawira wanted the Justice Ministry to lead a review of the age in five years, and he had a clear message for his colleagues.

"But I simply ask, what could be wrong with a review? It's not an overturning of the age of those who support the 18-18 scenario. It's simply a review of the situation."

The amendment was shot down 70 votes to 50.

The bill remains in committee stage, where MPs vote on a series of amendments designed to improve it.

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