There is an air of déjà vu to the draft Liquor Amendment Bill issued by the Department of Trade and Industry earlier in October, with a request for public comment before October 30. The bill contains almost all of the offensive provisions of the 2015 draft liquor policy document, leaving observers in little doubt that the department never intended to incorporate feedback elicited through that engagement. The draft has retained pretty much the same regulations relating to raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21; restrictions on liquor advertising and on the location of liquor outlets; mandatory black ownership and the vicarious liability of licensees for crimes committed by intoxicated individuals. It is a draconian piece of work that aims to constrain the liquor trade with repressive legislation, rather than to achieve happier outcomes through education and better policing of existing regulations. It is based on a set of assumptions – many of which have little foundation in fac...

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