WENTWORTH publican Rachel Hill believes a tax hike on beer this August is unnecessary.
It comes after Brewers Association of Australia chief executive Brett Heffernan said there was no need to ramp up taxes on consumers.
“With more and more Aussies out of work and everyone counting their pennies, jacking up beer tax would be another blow to punters and publicans alike,” Mr Heffernan said.
Since 1983, Australians have experienced 71 consecutive tax increases to beer and now pay the fourth-highest beer tax in the industrialised world.
Mrs Hill, who runs the Wentworth Crown Hotel with husband Tristan, said the tax rise took place twice a year, at the beginning of February and August.
She said it meant drinkers could be slugged an extra 10 to 15 cents on a pot.
“If the August increase wasn’t coming that would certainly help many publicans and hotels during a time that’s been quite tough,” she said.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many Sunraysia pubs and clubs to close their doors for several months.
Now these venues are slowly reopening with restrictions in place to ensure staff and customer safety.
Mr Heffernan said putting up the tax in August would be another hit to those establishments.
“We’re not asking for a tax cut at this time – just don’t increase the tax,” he said.
“That would spare punters further pain, take pressure off hospitality venues and, because it’s revenue-neutral, won’t cost (Federal) Treasury a cent.”
Mrs Hill said customers always noticed when the price of their beer increased.
“It does make an impact each time it comes out,” she said.
Mrs Hill said customers often did not have an issue with the tax once it was explained to them.
But since many establishments closed their doors not long after the February tax hike, it would feel like a more significant increase.
Mrs Hill said it would be more beneficial to the industry and drinkers if the tax increased next February.
The next tax rise is set for August 1.
