Distillers, spirits manufacturers and distributors have slammed reports the government is planning to cut draught beer tax by 50 per cent, labelling the move sexist.
The hit back comes after it was reported the federal government was considering slashing the tax in the next federal budget.
Under the $153m proposal, the price of a beer keg would halve to $35, resulting in pints being 40c cheaper, while the price of schooners and pots would fall by 30c and 20c respectively.
The cheaper prices would only be temporary, with the aim instead to help venues recover after lengthy Covid-19 restrictions.
However, Spirits and Cocktails Australia chief executive Greg Holland has hit back at any potential changes, pointing out the discounts would mainly benefit men.
Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the National Drug Strategy show more than 50 per cent of Australian men regularly drink beer of varying strengths compared with just 10 per cent of women.
“Why would you deliver a tax cut that ignores the choices of nine out of 10 Australian women?” he said.
“Imagine Scott Morrison or Treasurer Josh Frydenberg walking into a bar and shouting a round of beers for a bunch of blokes, while turning their backs on the women enjoying a quiet gin and tonic or cocktail after work. It would be considered outrageously sexist and out of date – but that is exactly what this proposal represents.”
Mr Holland said the proposed price reduction should instead be extended across the sector.
“That would give distillers and the nearly 50,000 hospitality venues around Australia that don’t serve draught beer some much-needed relief after two tumultuous years of lockdowns and a bit of predictability as they forge ahead,” he said.
However, Scott Morrison on Friday refused to confirm whether any discount plan would go ahead.
“All these decisions for the budget will be announced on the 29th of March,” the Prime Minister said.
