Gunner Government facing angry public backlash as alcohol prices surge

THE Gunner Government has faced a public backlash from angry drinkers being stung with higher prices caused by new liquor floor pricing

The Gunner Government is facing a public backlash from angry drinkers being stung with higher prices caused by new liquor floor pricing

THE Gunner Government has faced a public backlash from angry drinkers being stung with higher prices caused by new liquor floor pricing.

Beer drinkers were the most vocal with some saying they were now having to pay around $10 more for their favourite carton of beer.

They say Government mislead them into thinking beer prices would not be affected.

They pointed to the Government’s Alcohol Reform site which says “Only a very small range of alcohol drinks will have a price increase, such as cheap wine, cask wine and fortified wines. Other types won’t be affected.”

There is no reference to the price of beer increasing and the only graphics used on the site are bottles of red and white wine, cask wine and fortified wine.

However the government has refuted claims drinkers were misled and Chief Minister Michael Gunner maintained that the price of beer is “essentially not affected.”

“There is a lot of beer available in the Territory … we know of three beer products that have been affected, one time we found one, so essentially beer is not affected,” he said.

“But obviously there are hundreds of ranges of beer sold in the Territory. The majority of Territorians will not be affected by this at all.”

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Attorney-General Natasha Fyles echoed Mr Gunner’s sentiments saying despite the information on the Alcohol Reform site there has been many advertisements indicating the increase would also impact the price of beer.

“I’ve said that before as well,” she insisted. “It’s mainly those wines and fortified wines — but we acknowledged that there would be some beer products impacted on.”

President of the Liquor Stores Association NT, Faye Hartley said there had been many complaints from people angry over price increases.

“None of these complaints have come from the long grassers, but they are all from ordinary Territorians who are not problem drinkers,” she said. ”This is forcing the cost of living up and up. We need to be encouraging people to come here, not deterring them.

“This is just another nail in the coffin. The economy in the Northern Territory across all our stores is down 25 to 30 per cent. The value of our businesses has been halved because of everything hanging over our head from what the government intends to do from the Riley Report.

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“The feedback is that they are not happy, ‘why are they getting picked on.’

“A lot are older people who are on pensions or low income and like to have an affordable wine or beer with a meal.”

However low income earners received no sympathy from the group that represents them the NT Council of Social Service (NTCOSS).

Executive officer Wendy Morton said despite the impact increased cost may have on low income earners NTCOSS supports the government’s reforms.

“It is an unfortunate impact, but there is such a widespread alcohol problem in the Territory that the Territory as a whole has to wear the changes around alcohol pricing.”