Australia: The Federal Opposition says Government must rule out beer tax increase

The Federal Opposition says the Government must rule out a future tax increase on beer and wine, according to ABC News, June 16.

Some health bodies have urged the Government to increase taxes on wine to bring it into line with other types of alcohol.

And there is speculation that a review by the National Health and Medical Research Council will set an upper limit for safe drinking at four middies of beer or three glasses of wine a day.

But Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson says the average Australian would not consider that to be binge drinking.

"We got a lecture from Mr Rudd about binge drinking in relation to ready-to-drinks and so-called alcopops, the next thing we had is a 70 per cent excise increase," he said.

"What we've got to see now from Mr Rudd is a firm declaration that he is not going to increase the taxes on beer and wine."

Former health minister Tony Abbott has also accused the Federal Government of creating hysteria over alcohol consumption.

'Serious problem'

But the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council says the high level of drinking in Australia is a serious problem and safe drinking levels need to be set.

The council's head, David Templeman, says the Government has done well to put the issue of binge drinking on the political agenda.

"The point is, though, if you tried to get alcohol on the mainstream agenda six months ago it wasn't there," he said.

"I mean the mere fact we have a $15.3 billion harm annually in Australia wasn't necessarily getting the right amount of attention."

17 June, 2008