Labour's hypocrisy on minors drinking 'beggars belief' - David Seymour

  • 13/03/2018
David Seymour.
David Seymour. Photo credit: Newshub.

ACT leader David Seymour has slammed the Labour Party following news minors were drinking during a disastrous Young Labour camp.

The camp has garnered many negative headlines this week after a Newsroom investigation revealed a 20-year-old man had sexually assaulted or harassed four teenagers.

It was later revealed the Labour Party had chosen not to report the incident to police, which attracted further controversy - but Mr Seymour says the fact alcohol was available to minors is also of concern.

Witnesses from inside the camp say there was "a mountain" of alcohol available and many attendees, including a 15-year-old boy, were drinking.

Mr Seymour said from a political party that used to be so strong on legislating against alcohol, it "beggars belief" that allegations of minors drinking was not reported.

Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, it's an offence to supply alcohol to minors.

According to Mr Seymour, when the Bill passed, Labour said it didn't go far enough - adding that it's completely inappropriate for the same party to have allowed minors to drink at one of their events.

"Iain Lees-Galloway called the Bill 'insipid' and accused then-Justice Minister Judith Collins of doing a deal with a 'very well-resourced supermarket lobby' to weaken the Bill," Mr Seymour said.

"I would suggest that teenagers should be able to attend events organised by political parties without being exposed to alcohol.

 "It beggars belief that the Labour Party - so strong on alcohol reform in opposition - has not referred this matter to police. It must do so now. "

Newshub.