PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
THA PRESIDENT PAUL JUBB
AT a time when the hospitality industry is fighting tooth and nail to keep its head above water from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the latest round of beer tax hikes is a savage blow. And it is why you no doubt would have seen the strong stance from our AHA CEO Stephen Ferguson during his time in Tasmania for the National Awards for Excellence. Stephen is doing a fantastic job in leading the lobbying for the beer excise tax to be cut in half in what would be not only a welcome move but a much needed one. Enough is enough. In Australia, we pay the fourth highest beer tax in the world – one which goes up quietly twice a year and has done for the past 35 years. The latest increase takes the draught beer rate to $36.98 per litre of alcohol – a 2.1 per cent increase for the six- month period. It adds around 60c to the price of a schooner and 80c to a pint of beer and overall takes in the vicinity of $150 million from Australians’ pockets. Hospitality venues do their best to keep the costs down for our patrons but this continued tax increase threatens to put the price of our favourite drops out of reach for some people. We need to be encouraging people to come back and enjoy our venues in the current climate, not drive them away because of exorbitant prices. Affordable living is a constant topic of debate from our politicians but this twice yearly increase simply adds to the strain venues are already facing.
Keepingprices affordableensures there is demand in our bars, that in turn helps employment and creates extra shift for the breweries. There are so many tangibles that the entire sector benefits. There remains so much uncertainty from the general public when it comes to getting back out and about, prices of draught beer shouldn’t be added to the list. The hysteria around Omicron numbers in the state seems to be dying down, but the flow on affect of seeing venues fill up will take much longer to be realised as confidence returns. On a more positive note, it was great to see our national friends in town for the AHA awards, which proved a big success and I have no doubt everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Princes Wharf No.1 was abuzz, having more than 500 people gather for the first time in two years to celebrate was a big spectacle and getting to showcase Tasmania was the icing on the cake. Congratulations to our winners Cataract on Paterson, The Ship Inn Stanley and Federal Group duo Saffire Freycinet and MACq01 Hotel who secured a national title, four titles is a great achievement which goes to show our array of world class offerings right across the state.
Photo Credit: Chris Kidd
Hospitality Review: February 2022 5
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