Clubs Australia has welcomed the Prime Minister’s move to fulfil his election promise of freezing the excise increases on draught beer, following the introduction of the Excise and Customs Tariff Proposals in the House of Representatives.
The two-year freeze will come into effect from 1 August, meaning the scheduled excise increase on beer for Wednesday, 4 August will now not happen. The excise increase will go ahead on spirits and RTDs, with those industry associations calling for parity from the government.
The Prime Minister said: “Continuing to deliver cost of living relief to Australians is our number one priority.”
He added: “Freezing the excise on draught beer is a common sense measure that is good for beer drinkers, good for brewers and good for pubs.”
Anthony Albanese is the first Prime Minister in 40 years to take action on beer tax.
The move has been welcomed by Clubs Australia, with executive director Rebecca Riant saying the announcement will provide meaningful relief for clubs and their members.
“Beer excise has gone up 83 times since 1983, making it one of the most relentless tax increases in the country. This freeze is a long-overdue break for community clubs and the people they serve,” she said.
“The freeze will encourage people to keep heading to their local club to socialise with friends and family, where alcohol is served responsibly in a safe and social environment.
“We applaud the government for progressing its commitment to freeze the excise on draught beer.
“This is an outstanding win for the hospitality industry and the millions of Australians who enjoy a beer at their local club.”
Similarly, ClubsACT CEO Craig Shannon said the move is a win for hospitality businesses and beer drinkers.
“Our members strongly supported this cost-of-living measure and hope that it will encourage more patrons to utilise the benefits of in venue socialising especially as we head into the warmer months,” he said.
ClubsACT is also advocating for single yearly increases going forward. Australia’s beer tax is one of the highest in the OECD.
“Going forward after the freeze, industry is very keen to see only once-a-year excise increases to draught beer, and we will continue to engage with government and other stakeholders to see if we can achieve this outcome,” Shannon said.
This article first appeared on Club Management’s sister publication, The Shout.