09 March 2009
The Minister for Economic Development, Senator Alan Maclean announces the release of the Liquor Licensing Green Paper. The paper marks the launch of an eight week public consultation period aimed at gaining Islanders’ views on current and future licensing legislation and policy.
The green paper asks Islanders to comment on the high-level policy and principles and the continuing relevance of the current Jersey licensing objectives, as well as the need for new specific public health and public order objectives. The roles of the parish and licensing assembly are explored, together with issues such as fees, social impact, opening hours, licensing categories and enforcement.
The paper has been produced in co-operation with colleagues from Home Affairs and Health and Social Services and to that end it aims to address the widest possible range of options and ideas for tackling the excesses that alcohol can cause. The Minister is clear that the majority of Islanders drink responsibly and safely and is keen to ensure that the new law allows for the empowerment, particularly of parents, in how they introduce their children to alcohol in a responsible way. Sadly however, there are also those who do not act in a safe or responsible way and the new Law must also cater for and be able to deal with them. To that end the Minister is aware that many of the suggestions posed in the green paper will be considered extreme by some, lax by others but their inclusion within this green paper will encourage a full and well-rounded debate on what is possibly the most widely-reaching public policy consultation for many years. In supporting this review the Health Minister, Senator Jim Perchard has noted that
"Alcohol is a significant cause of avoidable death and disease. These proposed measures offer an opportunity for all parts of the community to play their part in reducing the unwanted effects of alcohol use in Jersey"
The paper will remain open for replies until the 1st of June when the results will be collated and reported back to the Minister. A White paper indicating likely policy options will then be produced in the autumn for a further final three month consultation and based on those findings provisions for a new law will be taken to the States.
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