Golden Gecko publican says new tax on beer threatens the survival of pubs everywhere

A new tax on beer will hit pubs and patrons tomorrow and one country publican, already reeling after Covid lockdowns and restrictions, says it puts hotels everywhere at risk.

A new tax on beer will hit publicans and patrons this week and Ross Thompson, drinking a schooner at the Golden Gecko Hotel, isn’t happy about it.

“Mate, I’ve worked all my life,” he said.

“When I finish work, I love coming in and having a beer.

“But it’s getting to the stage now where, one, the average bloke can’t afford it and, two, it’s putting too much stress on guys like Alan who own and run pubs.”

Golden Gecko publican Alan Venturi has been in the hotel business for 50 years and said he was fed up with Australia’s “exorbitant” beer taxes.

“We are the fourth highest taxed country in the world and after tomorrow (February 1) we will be the third,” he said.

“It stops us employing staff, it stops people drinking and the hotel is a very social atmosphere and we’re losing that by these exorbitant taxes.”

Mr Venturi, the Brewers Association and the Australian Hotels Association and Clubs Australia all oppose the increases and want to see tax relief for the nation’s battered hotel industry, still in survival mode following two years of Covid restrictions.

“We would definitely be able to put more staff on because we would sell more beer, we would be busier,” Mr Venturi explained when asked what tax relief might mean for him.

The new excises on beer vary depending on volume.

For alcohol volumes not exceeding 3 per cent, for example, and in individual containers over 48kg, the excise per litre rises from $9.01 to $9.20.

For Mr Venturi, it’s a kick at people who have done everything right.

“The hospitality industry has done its best to keep Australia safe during Covid,” he said.

“We shut our doors and worked to strict protocols.

“As a result, our businesses have paid dearly and are still paying.

“We’re not asking for a handout, just a reduction in the tax on the beer, which would promote business and salaries, wages and employment.”

Mr Venturi said the tax burden, in combination with Covid, threatened the existence of pubs everywhere.

“People gather here, builders come in looking for chippies and labourers, it’s a whole social event. News, what’s going on around the town.

“It’s under threat. As the drinkers dissipate elsewhere because they can’t afford it anymore, it leaves the pub barren.

“We haven’t had much support at all and it’s as dry as a bone and it’s everywhere.”

Mr Thompson, a commercial fisherman visiting his daughter in Mackay, backed Mr Venturi.

“Now these guys through the pandemic did everything right,” he said.

“They closed their doors, they put staff off, they did all that sort of stuff, and guess what, coming out of the pandemic, let’s just sting them again.

“Doesn’t make any sense to me.”