LSA ACT and Local Bottle Shop Operators Campaign Against Licence Fee Increase

The Liquor Stores Association ACT has launched a major campaign in conjunction with local liquor store operators this week, in an attempt to put a stop to bottle shop tax increases in the state. The ACT liquor licence fee is already the highest in Australia and ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr MLA, is lobbying for it to be increased by a further 25 per cent. In an attempt to stop this, both the association and licencees are calling on support from members and customers in the area to “Say no to higher taxes on your drinks”, warning of the implications the increase to the fee could have.

LSA ACT has said that the increased tax could not only affect the cost consumers pay for their drinks, but also put local jobs and family-owned businesses at risk.

“Operators of liquor stores are strongly opposed to these huge increases in bottle shop taxes in the ACT,” LSA NSW / LSA ACT Executive Director, Michael Walters said.

Posters and other point-of-sale material featuring the campaign slogan is currently being displayed in bottle shops across the state. During the upcoming ACT election campaign, liquor store operators will also be asking their customers to sign a petition, which supports saying “no” to bottle shop tax increases. The campaign is expected to reach at least 300,000 weekly shoppers in store and many more online.

LSA ACT has put the campaign point-of-sale materials on its website for its members and stakeholders to download. LSA ACT is also asking individuals to call their local MLA about the proposal. Materials and key contacts can be found here.

“The more retailer members and industry stakeholders who are willing to take action, the more likely it is that the ACT Government will see reason and rectify this issue once and for all,” Mr. Walters concluded.

LSA ACT has tried to meet with Mr. Barr to discuss the issue, but the request has been declined.

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