On Monday in an interview with Radio National, Mike Daube, Professor of Health Policy at Curtin University made a number of what have been received as controversial claims surrounding the sale and promotion of alcohol to minors. Claims made by Mr. Daube included those such as: “some retailers are responsible when it comes to selling alcohol to kids, but many of them are not and governments need to act on ...

According to Master Grocers Australia/Liquor Retailers Australia (MGA/LRA), increasing the number of public holidays in Victoria is proving to be financially catastrophic for independent retailers in the state.   Recently, the Victorian Government gazetted Easter Sunday as a new public holiday, making four public holidays in a row over the Easter break. The Government is also considering creating an additional public holiday for the AFL Grand Final Eve; a move ...

In response to the White Paper review currently in Government, the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia (DSICA) is responding with a call to action for a fairer tax system for alcohol. DSICA is asking for consumers and Government to support a volumetric tax model - the fairest tax system for consumers and the Government it says. To do this, DSICA has launched a national campaign called Fix My Tax, ...

The Liquor Stores Association (LSA) of NSW has begun a review into a recent report released by the Government body - NSW Bureau of Crime, Statistics & Research (BOCSAR). LSA NSW says the report’s findings on the impact of the 2014 lockouts and last drinks laws in the state are contradictory. The report – ‘Lockouts and last drinks: The impact of the January 2014 liquor licence reforms on assaults in ...

After all the hype about reduced penalty rates, Master Grocers Australia (MGA) / Liquor Retailers Australia (LRA), which represents independent supermarkets and liquor stores owners, says there needs to be a reality check. Jos de Bruin, CEO of MGA/LRA said that employers should act cautiously before rushing to use a “template agreement” by the SDA and Business SA to reduce penalty rates. If they do, employers will need to increase their ...

The final changes made to the Liquor Legislation Amendment (Statutory Review) Act 2014 became effective on Sunday, the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing reminded licensees today. The provisions include:   A liquor licence exemption for non-profit organisations for up to six fundraising functions per year. Simpler notification requirements for holding functions under a multi-function limited licence. New flexibility for licensed brewers and distillers to make retail sales of their ...

Wines of Western Australia (WoWA) has jumped behind the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) in its fight to prevent wine tax hikes. The association also joins the Wolf Blass Foundation, as well as a growing number of other leading winemakers and regional wine organisations in their campaign. Together, these organisations and winemakers will also be arguing against the separate tax rebate scheme for NZ wine producers in Australia, as well ...

The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing has reminded licensees this week that the remaining Liquor Act review reforms introduced by the Liquor Legislation Amendment (Statutory Review) Act 2014 will become effective as of March 1 this year. From March 1, not-for-profit organisations will be exempt from having to have a liquor licence for up to six fundraising function a year, while licensed brewers and distillers will no longer have ...

New duty rates to excise items became effective on Tuesday, following the December 2014 CPI adjustments. Below are the changes applicable to alcoholic beverages.

Riverland Wine, the representative body for South Australian Riverland wine producers, is calling on Government to put an end to Australian wine’s “preferential” tax rate. The body joins the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia, along with others such as the Wolf Blass Foundation, in their campaign to reform wine tax hikes. Federation Chief Executive, Paul Evans, said the support for Riverland Wine’s action has been significant. “Riverland Wine represents a diverse ...