NZ Prime Minister changes liquor laws for Rugby World Cup

Justice Minister Amy Adams says a bill allowing bars to open later during Rugby World Cup matches will have to be tightened up before it gets National Party support.

It has to be passed before the tournament starts on September 18, and a select committee that’s going to hear public submissions has until August 26 to get it sorted out.

NZ is looking at allowing all bars to stay open late for early morning Rugby World Cup matches.

But today speaking on TVNZ’s Breakfast, Mr Key said the National Party is working on a bill to extend drinking hours that will be introduced into Parliament and passed through.

The Green Party refused to grant leave for the bill to be debated, saying it was a publicity stunt.

His party had changed its mind after Mr Seymour had agreed to make improvements to the bill.

Seymour’s bill is now likely to be picked up by the Government which means that even though he lost the battle to The Greens, he’ll win the war and the diehard, pub going rugby fans will have a hangover.

We’re talking here of cutting the red tape and allowing pubs to open if they want to during the rugger world cup competition which occurs just once every four years, rather than them applying for individual licences.

“What we need is a review of how Parliament’s intentions around special licenses have been implemented”.

Green Party health spokesman Kevin Hague said yesterday that the Act bill was too broad and it would be better if the Government developed its own legislation.

The Greens also want restrictions such as only bars with clean records being eligible.

Mr Seymour doesn’t have a problem with changing the bill.

Mr Seymour said only broadcasting All Black matches was “deeply unfair” and he wanted it to apply to all 48 games.

“While this is a conscience issue for Labour MPs, I believe mechanisms must be in place so other events of significance such as Netball World Cup finals and the Olympics could be included in the legislation, at the discretion of the Government of the day”.

Pay television is expensive for many people and the opportunity for Kiwis to share the excitement of New Zealanders winning overseas is one to cherish.

“If there was an event that was significant enough that we thought was in a time zone that warranted it, we’d look at it”.