Ash Ambihaipahar (Barton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today in support of the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, which goes right to the centre of communities, jobs, small businesses and Australian social life. This bill reinforces the Albanese Labor government's decision to pause indexation on draught beer excise and excise equivalent customs duties for two years, beginning 1 August 2025.

It is a policy underpinned by fairness, community values and economic responsibility. It is a policy that recognises and supports Australian pubs, clubs, brewers, hospitality workers and the millions of Australians who rely on these venues for work, connection and community life. It is a policy that speaks directly to the people and businesses in my electorate of Barton, from Hurstville to Wolli Creek, Beverly Hills to Clemton Park and Rockdale to Earlwood.

This measure does one simple, clear thing. It pauses automatic inflation-linked increases to draught beer excise for two years. It applies specifically to containers of eight to 48 litres designed for gas or pump systems—our standard kegs in pubs and clubs—and containers over 48 litres, used by larger hospitality venues. This pause does not apply to bottled beer, canned beer, spirits or retail alcohol. This is targeted, disciplined policy designed to support hospitality venues and the sector, not supermarkets, not bottling multinationals, not liquor companies but the pubs, clubs and taverns and small brewers who serve our communities directly from a tap. (Quorum formed)

This policy supports 10,000 hospitality venues across Australia, and about 75 per cent of them are small, family-run businesses. This policy will be supporting approximately 160,000 workers in hospitality and brewing. Further, this will support thousands more in supply chains, like farmers, those in logistics, tradies, cleaners, entertainers and local suppliers. These are the venues that sponsor the local footy club, host family dinners, employ young people, train chefs, host charity events and offer a safe and social space for neighbours to connect.

For two years, this means the tax on a pint stays steady, family-run pubs get certainty, small brewers have breathing room, young workers keep their shifts and venues avoid passing cost increases on to locals. This pause means that, when a family in Barton heads out for a Friday night meal, when a group of mates meets after work in Banksia or Beverly Hills to watch the UFC or when seniors meet for raffles in Hurstville or Earlwood, the cost of connection doesn't climb. This is a cost-of-living measure that also strengthens small-business resilience, regional tourism, jobs and apprenticeships, local manufacturing and community connection. It is cost-of-living relief, economic support and community support rolled into one smart, responsible policy.

In Australia, pubs and licensed venues are not just businesses; they are community institutions. In many places they are the heart of the suburb or the heart of the town. They are where we gather to watch the footy, celebrate a birthday, share a meal, attend a fundraiser or simply sit among neighbours and feel part of something bigger than ourselves.

In Barton we see this every day. We see this at Beverly Hills Hotel, where local families gather after weekend sport. We see it at the Rocksia and at Earlwood-Bardwell Park RSL, where locals build friendships over generations. We see this at the Ritz in Hurstville, buzzing with life, especially on trivia nights; at the Forest Inn in Bexley, with its proud community ties and killer pizzas; and in clubs like St George Leagues Club, Arncliffe Scots Club and Club Central Hurstville, which support sport and charity. Just outside the border but beloved by Barton locals is the local brewery the Social Brewers, a great brewery tucked in the member for Banks's electorate. Thousands of Barton residents work in hospitality as bar staff, cooks, cleaners, security officers, musicians, waitstaff, bottle shop attendants, managers and apprentices. When we keep these venues strong, we keep the community strong, we keep young people employed, we keep families connected and we keep traditions alive.

I want to share why this is important to me. Before entering parliament, I worked supporting the hospitality sector. This included working with the Australian Hotels Association. I stood shoulder to shoulder with venue operators, from suburban pubs to regional institutions, and saw their strong commitment to creating safe and welcoming spaces. I saw the pressure they felt in balancing rising costs with fair pricing for their customers. I saw their pride in employing and training local workers and their generosity in supporting teams, charities and community groups. I've supported business owners who stayed awake at night worrying whether they could afford to keep staff on. I've seen young people transform their lives through their first hospitality jobs, and I want to acknowledge the great work of the mighty United Workers Union in the sector, supporting workers in collaboration with these employers. Hospitality isn't just an industry; it absolutely is a pathway, a community hub and a cultural institution. So, when I say this policy matters, it's not flippant. This is from lived experience supporting the sector.

We've listened, we've consulted, we've acted. This is responsible government. That is the Albanese Labor government. Rather than responding with mantras, we've responded with solutions. We target support where it delivers the most benefit. This industry endured months of pandemic shutdowns, supply chain disruptions, staffing challenges and years of inflation pressures under the opposition, yet these Australians kept going. They adapted and they innovated. They did takeaway and they did home deliveries. They kept food in fridges, beers in kegs and, where they could, they kept staff on the books. They held communities together in some of the hardest times we've known. They deserve support, and we are giving it.

I must also add that this great policy works hand in hand with the New South Wales Minns Labor government and Minister John Graham, who's working hard to boost the New South Wales economy and revive our night-time economy after a decade of lockouts and then lockdowns by the former Liberal state government. This is what a Labor government does; it supports the economy, and it supports small businesses.

This measure also supports independent brewers who rely heavily on draught sales. It helps them manage production, maintain cash flow, retain staff, invest in quality and keep supplying local venues. Local taps in Barton serve beer from passionate independent producers—Sydney brewers who stand for the craft. We are making sure they can keep doing that. By supporting draught production, we protect diversity and fairness in our beer and hospitality markets, not just for the biggest players.

I want to be very clear that this policy is temporary. It is fiscally responsible and it does not change Australia's alcohol taxation system. It does not undermine public health objectives. It ensures that the excise returns to normal after two years. The opposition had an opportunity to listen to some of the speeches, and they sound like they are distorting this, because I recall this also being an election commitment from those across the chamber. It's still on the Liberal Party's website to this day, six months after the election. But the fact remains that this is targeted relief. It does not fuel inflation, it protects jobs and communities, and it maintains our public health settings. This is steady, disciplined economic management—low risk, high benefit and temporary.

This is one part of a very comprehensive cost-of-living agenda. I listened to some of those across the chamber and observed their line of questioning at question time—no rhyme and no thought. They say the government is spending too much, and then they have the hide to say we're not doing enough for the cost of living. Then we hear today, 'It's not enough, but it does a little bit for small businesses.' Choose your side. Let me remind the opposition of what the Albanese Labor government has already delivered: wage rises of a minimum of 3.5 per cent and an award increase; super at 12 per cent; an increase in paid parental leave to 24 weeks with super; 150 bucks more energy relief this year; apprentice payments of $10,000; cheaper home batteries; a 20 per cent cut in student HECS-HELP debt for three million Aussies; Commonwealth prac payments for nursing, teaching, midwifery and social work students; pay rises for aged-care workers; cheaper medicines; and expanded bulk-billing. This is real relief, delivered responsibly. While many major economies are facing recessions and job losses, Australia has strong employment and stable growth, and we are navigating global challenges with competence, steadiness and fairness.

This two-year excise pause is fair, targeted, responsible and deeply needed. It recognises the role hospitality plays in the lives of Australians in our suburbs, in our cities, in our regions and in electorates like mine, the seat of Barton. It supports the places where we gather to celebrate, mourn, reconnect, unwind and belong. It backs the workers pulling pints, washing glasses, scrubbing kitchens, running events, serving meals and keeping our venues safe and welcoming. It helps small businesses breathe, plan, invest and continue supporting our community. It protects local jobs, it lowers cost-of-living pressure, it strengthens local economies, it reflects both economic discipline and social understanding and, most importantly, it reflects the core promise of this Albanese Labor government to look after working Australians, to support small business and to govern responsibly and fairly for every community.

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