ACT on Campus Comments To Keep It 18 Press Conference

ACT on Campus does not promote, nor discourage, the consumption of alcohol by New Zealanders we simply advocate the idea that the individual should make this decision for themselves without interference from the state.

In a free society the government's role is to protect its citizens from harm by keeping the peace and enforcing the rule of law. The government should intervene only when direct harm is being done to someone by another.

It is not the job of politicians to protect people from themselves and their choices - this is what we call a nanny-state. The government has no role in telling New Zealand’s when and where they may consume alcohol and how much fun they are allowed to have.

The one exception to this rule is in the case of minors where we recognise that the rules often need to be different and that those responsible for children may be in a better position to make decisions for them.

The drawing of a line to determine the age of maturity is not a science and will never be perfect but in New Zealand we consider age 18 to be old and wise enough for someone to get married, to join the police or the army and go to war, to sign contracts and get a credit card, to own a gun and even to vote.

Our challenge to MPs who wish to raise the drinking age is for them to reject any votes they receive from 18 and 19 year olds at the next election. If an 18 year old is not rational enough to be able to have a beer after work with their workmates, how can they possibly make such an important decision as to who should represent them in parliament?

ACT on Campus urges all MPs to oppose the raising of the drinking age to 20.

[Original notes - actual comments may have varied slightly.]