Coalition mulling over beer tax as businesses cry out over $15 schooners

The price of beer always gets people talking but there could be a plan to soon make a big change.

Making beer cheaper is shaping up to be a key Coalition election policy as part of a suite of tax reforms the Liberal and Nationals will consider taking to the polls.

It comes as publicans warn the skyrocketing cost of a schooner is pushing Australians to drink in unregulated environments, including at home, and driving up the risk of bad behaviour.

Nationals leader David Littleproud on Monday met with members from the Australian Hotels Association in Coffs Harbour to discuss the issue of the steep beer excise making Australian schooners some of the highest-taxed beer in the world.

Federal Nationals Leader David Littleproud. Picture: Dan Peled

“We are hitting a tipping point, it will have serious consequences,” he said.

“Many of our small businesses are going to start laying off staff because people won’t have money for another increase in excise. We’ve seen 18 consecutive increases in excise.”

The reform was flagged at the Nationals Federal Conference last week by MP Pat Conaghan who also moved a private members billon the issue.

But Mr Littleproud said reforming the excise – including a pause – was being looked at within the Coalition because of the serious impacts on small businesses.

The Sunday Mail understands several Liberals are also getting on board with the Nationals poll pitch. Queensland Hotels Association CEO Bernie Hogan backed the Coalition plan, saying the rising price of beer meant having a thirst-quenching ale was becoming a luxury for cash-strapped Aussies.

“If you want to talk about cost-of-living pressures, this is one that’s directly affecting people right across the country,” he said.

Story Bridge Hotel owner and QHA president Richard Deery said beer excise rises had been happening for “far too long” and it was time for a review.

He said the introduction of the goods and services tax in Australia almost 25 years ago was meant to lead to fewer taxes like beer excise, but drinkers were now being slugged a “double whammy”.

Richard Deery, in the Story Bridge Hotel. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Some within the Coalition are concerned about the budget implications of any changes to the excise while others are wary of potential blowback from domestic violence advocates over making alcohol cheaper.

Last month domestic violence advocates wrote to Anthony Albanese and state and territory leaders calling for a suite of alcohol reforms including regulating home access.

Suggested reforms included no alcohol deliveries or takeaway after 10pm and a two hour pause between alcohol being ordered and delivered.

Neighbourhood pubs were crucial for connection, but the cost of beer was preventing people from going out.

Originally published as Coalition mulling over beer tax as businesses cry out over $15 schooners