Expert says Aus Gov’s alcohol tax slammed by hospitality bosses will save Gold Coast nightlife

A controversial alcohol tax hike has been slammed by industry leaders – but a psychology expert says it will save hospitality long term.

A LEADING psychology expert says frustrated hospitality bosses are missing how an alcohol tax hike will save their industry.

Deakin University psychology expert Peter Miller said an alcohol tax increase that had been mooted by the Morrison Government was designed to stop dangerous drinking behaviour, not kill the city’s hospitality.

Since, a tax cut has been considered.

But Mr Miller said: “The taxes are about raising the price of dirt cheap alcohol targeted at alcohol-affected people and young drinkers.

Sophie Adamson from Boardwalk Tavern. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Covid leading to a boom of home delivery has been devastating on nightlife. We are seeing more very cheap supply of alcohol to the home so people don’t have to go out and purchase it from the clubs.

“People pre-drinking and the growth of home delivery alcohol is the nightlife industry’s biggest problem.

“It’s a massive change the industry hasn’t got its head around.

“There’s been $3.6 billion more alcohol brought into the community and that’s bad.

“In the long term we pay for that in hospitals, domestic violence and mental health resources.”

Recently Gold Coast distillers frustrated by ongoing tax hikes told the Bulletin they tip standard drink prices to soar from $12 to $18 by 2024, permanently harming the night-life and their businesses.

Scott Imlach, whose stable includes Bine Bar + Beer, Precinct Brewing and Hideaway Kitchen & Bar, said taxes on alcohol keeps people at home.

“I’ve never seen pre-drinking worse than it is now,” he said.

“That’s because taxes have driven the cost of alcohol up. If prices go up in bottle shops, they go up in pubs too.

“It’s about $10 a beer in pubs at the moment and people can get a beer for $2 from bottle shops.

Matt Coorey ,Owner of Boardwalk Tavern, outraged as more money is washed away from the sector as beer becomes Liquid Gold. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“I don’t know how the taxes on alcohol are meant to help hospitality businesses when it makes us increase our prices.”

Artesian Hospitality partner Matt Keegan, whose stable of venues include Cali Beach, Surfers Pavilion along with Orchid Ave nightclubs Sin City and The Bedroom, said Australia’s alcohol taxes had made customers disgruntled towards the hospitality industry.

“It is useful to reduce the rate of pre-drinking to allow the consumption of alcohol to spread across venues and at home but that’s not what has happened,” he said.

“Australia has one of the highest taxes on alcohol in the world and customers don’t appreciate having to pay more on drinks during a night out compared to other countries.

“Their frustrations are normally targeted at the venue.”

Punters Bruce Harrington and John John discuss the recent booze tax hike. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Federal Government was slammed by Spirits and Cocktails Australia chief executive Greg Holland for considering halving the tax on draught beer for Covid relief but not on other alcohol.

Mr Holland labelled the decision to reduce beer taxes and not spirit taxes as “sexist”.

According to recent reports, alcohol retail turnover grew to $3.6 billion between 2019 and 2021 across Australia. but alcohol consumption costs Australians $66.8 billion a year in health, workplace and other costs.

Statistics have revealed one in every three Gold Coasters consume four drinks a day once each week and Surfers Paradise had the highest percentage of pre-drinkers out of the state’s safe night precincts.

A report released in 2019 found 87.7 per cent of partygoers interviewed in Surfers Paradise had drunk before heading to a licensed venue.

The average consumption during pre-drinks was six beverages. Australia has the fourth-highest tax on beer and third-highest tax on spirits in the world.