Beer drinkers and hospitality venues are raising their glasses after the Albanese Government moved to freeze draught beer excise for two years — the first action on the tax in more than four decades.
The Federal Government tabled legislation on Thursday to pause the indexation of excise and customs duty on draught beer, which was set to rise again on August 1.
Australian Hotels Association national president David Canny praised the decision as a win for both everyday Australians and the hospitality sector.
“It’s a win for common sense in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Canny said. “There’s no better place to have a beer than down at the local — they are a place for community and connection.”
Clubs Australia also welcomed the move, with executive director Rebecca Riant calling it long-overdue relief for community clubs and their members.
“Beer excise has gone up 83 times since 1983. This freeze is an outstanding win for the hospitality industry and the millions who enjoy a beer at their local club,” Ms Riant said.
The two-year freeze honours a key Labor election commitment and is expected to help protect jobs across the hospitality sector, which employs more than 300,000 Australians.
