The Federal Member for Hinkler David Batt MP is calling for greater cost relief for clubs, pubs, brewers, distillers and customers.
Mr Batt has supported the bill to freeze the indexation on draught beer excise for two years but said the pause doesn’t go far enough.
Speaking in Federal Parliament last night Mr Batt called for more to be done to support the industry and those who enjoy a beverage at their local pub or club.
“We must expand the scope beyond the beer and onto spirits. The Nationals Federal Council at the weekend moved a motion supporting an ongoing freeze of the federal alcohol excise tax and a reduction of alcohol tax across the board to a fair and equitable level at licensed venues,” said Mr Batt.
“The electorate of Hinkler is famous all over the world for producing some the finest beverages. The commitment to freeze the tax was matched by the Coalition because we know clubs, pubs, the hospitality workers need a break, and hard-working Aussies deserve to be able to afford a cold one.
The reprieve is just that, it doesn’t go far enough to absorb the high electricity prices and the ever-increasing costs. That’s where the Nationals plan for a cheaper, better and fairer energy future comes in.
Families are paying too much. Jobs are being lost. Forests and farmland are being destroyed. Labor’s Net Zero has failed. The hospitality industry needs more than a reprieve. Energy is the economy.”