Lobbying by leading retailers has led the NSW government to weaken its proposed tough new guidelines on alcohol promotion, the NSW Greens say.

The government had originally planned a ban on alcohol promotions by Woolworths and Coles but lobbying by the supermarket giants resulted in that proposal being watered down, Greens MP John Kaye says.

Dr Kaye says government documents show the Liquor Store Association (LSA) and the retailers were given access to drafts of the guidelines being developed by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and bureaucrats responsible for revising.

However, public health and community groups were “kept in the dark”, he said.

“Successive drafts were substantially weakened to suit the commercial interests of the bottle shop owners and, in particular, Coles and Woolworths,” he said in a statement.

“The result has been changes that substantially weaken the restrictions on promotions and price discounting.”

He said the revisions meant that Coles and Woolworths would now be able to discount alcohol by more than 50 per cent as part of their promotions activity.

Comment was being sought from the government and the retailers.

A Coles spokesman said the company had made representations regarding the guidelines as was appropriate in any robust debate on regulatory issues.

He said evidence showed alcohol-related problems were linked to licensed venues and not bottle shops and Coles customers shouldn’t be denied discounts.

“The vast majority of our customers are responsible and should not be penalised by the irresponsible actions of the few,” spokesman Jon Church said.

“Coles takes its responsible liquor requirements very seriously.”
AAP