Brewers have welcomed a decision which will see liquor producers across the country receive tax cuts worth up to $250,000 a year after losing around $1 billion in beer sales throughout the pandemic.
Brewers Association of Australia CEO John Preston told Sky News, “last year was a terrible year for many businesses but for hospitality and the beer industry it was particularly bad.”
“We saw 44 million schooners of beer that had to be destroyed because of lockdowns and … $1 billion of lost sales across pubs and clubs in Australia.
“That’s why this is a great first step from the government, from the treasurer, and we welcome it.
“But we’ve actually also asked the government to consider reducing the tax on draft beer, the beer that’s sold through pubs and clubs, by 50 per cent in the budget.
“We believe that will really help that hospitality sector that’s really struggling and continues to struggle with lockdowns and other restrictions as they try to rebuild after COVID-19”.
Mr Preston said Australia currently has the fourth highest beer tax in the developed world and it continues to increase twice a year.
