The average cost of the post-work schooner is set to soar this week thanks to another tax hike on your favourite beer brands.
Every year, the national excise alcohol puts the hurt on workers’ wallets, hiking up the bar tab with two increases to tax for businesses dishing out the booze based on the movement of the consumer price index (CPI)
The first hike in February sent the price of pure alcohol surging up to $60.per lite (or the price of two cocktails in Carlton) and the price of pub beer over 3.5 per cent up to $42.37 per litre.
While most of us might not be buying up liquor by the litre, the inflated cost of doing business means punters are the ones paying the price as the cost of a schooner hit a record $9 in the first half of 2024.
With another tax hike only days away, that price is set to surge even higher, with some breweries predicting it will drive costs as high as $10 for a standard frothy.
Unsurprisingly, the news saw outraged Aussies flock to social media to call out Albo’s attack on the country’s favourite pastime – the post work piss up.
“This is the result of lower income tax! The government giveth, and the government taketh away!” wrote one user.
“How else can they get a pay rise. There isn’t a valid reason for it other than greed,” wrote another.
With the latest hike seeing businesses hit with the world’s third-highest beer tax after Norway and Finland, Brewers Association CEO John Preston said enough is enough.
“Beer drinkers are set to be slammed by yet another excise tax increase at a time when people are already struggling with the rising cost of living,” said Preston.
“This tax has gone up twice a year for over 30 years. We’ve now got the third highest beer tax in the world.
“We all know the benefits of people getting out and socialising with friends and family but these tax increases are making this unaffordable for Australians.
“Enough is enough. We’re calling for the Federal Government to step in and cut the rate of tax for beers served in hospitality venues back to a sensible level.
Can the Albo put a cap on beer prices?
As public opinions on Albo’s tax plans turn sour, the Brewers Association has ramped up their campaign for the government to step in and stop draft beer from being included in the twice-yearly price update.
But with other cost of living pressures remaining high on the docket, it’s not likely the prime minister will pull a 180 on his tax plans anytime soon.
In an interview earlier this year with radio station 3AW, he said the cabinet was busy looking at other ways to ease pressures on Aussie households.
“We are not looking at that at the moment, but obviously in the lead up to budgets, you have submissions and I’m sure that there’ll be submissions along a whole range of ways,” he told listeners.
“One of the things that we have to do though, is look at ways where we provide cost of living support, whilst putting downward pressure on inflation.”
Despite this, Preston said his group would continue to put pressure on parliament in the hopes of avoiding another cost hike in February of next year.
