John Angus

Wellington, July 1 NZPA - Child abuse by drunken parents is being raised in support of a call by a group of leading New Zealanders for the Government to take a strong stance on liquor law reform.

Children's Commissioner John Angus says alcohol abuse fuels violence in homes around the country, with children either direct victims or witnesses to it.

"Changes must be made if we have any hope of reducing the harm caused to thousands of children around the country," he said last night.

"From being neglected and left in a car while a parent parties, to suffering physical abuse at the hands of a parent who has drunk too much, the impacts are far reaching and potentially disastrous."

Former governor-general Sir Paul Reeves yesterday led a group of knights, dames, archbishops and sports people who came to Parliament to tell MPs and the news media alcohol abuse was a crisis destroying lives and cultures, and that using the conscience vote in Parliament to decide liquor law was no longer acceptable.

The Government is considering its response to the Law Commission's report on the sale and supply of liquor and Sir Paul said political parties should develop strong policies and reveal them to the public.

He called on Maori leaders to unite and "make some noise" about how serious the problem was for their people.

Sir Lloyd Geering said alcohol was probably the biggest factor attacking the "valued roots" of New Zealand culture.

"We are concerned about the quality of life that is tending now to disappear, particularly among young people," he said.

Dame Temuranga Batley-Jackson said she spent 20 years on the Parole Board dealing with serious criminals, and alcohol abuse went hand-in-hand with their offending.

"Between the drugs and alcohol, we have lost our culture," she said.

The group's aims mirror the commission's recommendations -- raising prices, raising the purchase age, reducing alcohol accessibility, reducing advertising and marketing, increasing drink-driving counter-measures and increasing treatment opportunities for heavy drinkers.

Justice Minister Simon Power said he was following the public debate closely and progress was being made on the Government's response to the commission report.