Base alcohol price unlikely to be law

Despite ongoing work on a minimum alcohol price, a proposal to introduce a pricing regime looks set to fail.

Justice Ministry officials are running two meetings this week with industry leaders on a plan that would drive up the cost of some liquor.

Prime Minister John Key appeared opposed to the proposal, saying people might simply switch to the lowest quality alcohol rather than drink less.

‘‘I am not convinced minimum pricing will do that much,’’ Mr Key said.

Labour’s justice spokesman Charles Chauvel said the price of alcohol had a big influence on how often and how much people drank.

‘‘It’s time to get serious about the pricing issue if we’re going to make any significant impact on our binge drinking culture.’’

Labour has drafted an amendment to the alcohol legislation which would introduce a minimum pricing regime.

ACT party leader John Banks has called for a boycott on the amendment which he said was too broad. ‘‘ And because a minimum price is not a tax, all the additional revenue from a price increase will flow straight out of consumers’ pockets, into the hands of liquor companies and retailers.’’

But the Green Party and Maori Party also back minimum pricing.

That leaves UnitedFuture MP Dunne with the deciding vote.

Mr Dunne has previously stated he was unconvinced a minimum pricing regime would have the desired effect.

However, as associate health minister, he would not have a ‘‘defined position’’ until he received advice from the department, a spokesman said.

Addiction expert Doug Sellman said Mr Key’s statements ‘‘reek’’ of industry influence.

Peter