THERE has been keen debate over the upcoming rugby World Cup. Not the opinionated soundbites and hand-wringing of how our national team will perform, but rather where and when the public can watch the game and enjoy a drink while doing so.
The issue is timing. The tournament is being
staged in Britain, and a number of matches involving the All Blacks happen in the early hours of our mornings. That sparked debate about licensed premises being able to open and serve patrons at game time.
Act leader David Seymour tried to allow bars to open outside legal trading hours but hit a snag when the Green Party initially rejected it. Next the Government stepped in to make the amendments to the law to let it happen - it only applies to All Blacks games, quarter-finals, semifinals, final and the play-off for third and fourth.
But it wasn't only Act and the Government supporting temporary licences. Labour called for legislation to include other sporting events, with leader Andrew Little saying most Kiwis were responsible drinkers who like celebrating victories with a drink "even if it is at 5am on occasion".
Alcohol Healthwatch condemned the move, calling it a mockery of the laws, but the organisation's director, Rebecca Williams, is drawing a long bow with her claim MPs are "kowtowing to the whims of the hospitality sector".
