Anne Urquhart (Braddon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak in support of the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the associated bill—a practical, targeted and responsible measure from the Albanese Labor government, one that backs our pubs, clubs, brewers and hospitality workers right across Australia, including in the electorate of Braddon in regional Tasmania, where I come from. From 1 August 2025 the government will pause indexation on draught beer excise and excise equivalent customs duties for two years. This is a sensible decision that supports small businesses, protects jobs and helps keep the price of a pint stable for everyday Australians.

In towns across the electorate of Braddon, the local pub is more than a business; it's where people gather for sport, celebrations and support in their tough times. It's where locals find work, where small brewers find customers and where regional economies find strength. These venues are the heart of our communities and they deserve our support.

This excise applies to containers between eight and 48 litres, those commonly used in pubs and clubs and larger containers used in hospitality venues. It's tightly targeted. It doesn't apply to bottled or canned beer, spirits or other excisable beverages. That's deliberate. This is about supporting our hospitality operators, not the retailers.

Around 10,000 venues will benefit from this measure, and about 75 per cent of those are small family-run businesses. These are the venues that sponsor the local footy team, host charity raffles and employ young people starting out in the workforce, many of them university students. It also supports our brewers, especially small and independent producers, who rely on keg sales to stay afloat.

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Take Communion Brewing in Burnie, in the electorate of Braddon, for example. This family-friendly brewpub is the heart of the CBD. It brews all its beer onsite, with names inspired by local heritage, like the Paper Maker, a nod to Burnie's industrial past. Communion is more than a brewery; it's a community hub, a local employer and a proud contributor to the region's cultural and economic life.

Island State Brewing in Devonport is another fantastic example. Known for its bold, locally crafted beers and its commitment to quality, Island State Brewing supplies venues right across the north-west coast and beyond. It's a growing business that supports local jobs, partners with regional suppliers and brings people together through great Tasmanian beer.

And, of course, we have the renowned and famous James Boag Brewery in Launceston, an iconic institution in Tasmania's cultural and economic landscape. Situated on the banks of the North Esk River, the James Boag Brewery has been a cornerstone of the region since its establishment in 1881. For over 140 years, the brewery has produced beer that embodies the purity and the character of Tasmania, utilising pristine local water, regionally sourced ingredients and a time honoured brewing tradition passed down through generations. Beyond its contribution to Tasmania's brewing heritage, Boag's plays a significant role in the local economy and the local community. It supports employment, it drives tourism and it contributes to regional events. Its presence in Launceston is a source of pride for many residents.

I hosted a 'beers and banter' event at the Beach Hotel in Burnie not that long ago alongside local publican Ben to mark the Albanese Labor government's announcement of a pause in the indexation of draught beer excise. During the event, I spoke with local posties and other community members enjoying their well-earned Friday evening knock-off drinks. The response was overwhelmingly positive. They welcomed the decision as a practical and meaningful measure. They were excited that the price of a pint will remain stable.

This pause in indexation ensures that the price of a pint remains stable. Allowing workers to continue enjoying a social moment at the end of the week without added financial pressure, it also provides tangible benefits to brewers such as Communion, Island State and Boag's brewery, as well as publicans like Ben. By helping them manage costs, plan production and invest in their communities, this policy supports both local industry and the social fabric of all of our towns. Approximately 160,000 Australian workers work in the hospitality and brewing sectors. These are real jobs, they're local jobs, and they rely on venues staying open and profitable. This excise pause will help stabilise the tax component of a pint for two years, reducing pressure on venues to pass rising costs on to customers. For small publicans and family run clubs, this decision offers certainty. It helps them to plan ahead, retain staff and also reinvest in their businesses, which is really important for the future. It's a lifeline during a time of economic pressure.

Across Braddon, the pub is the heart of the community. Keeping those doors open actually matters. This measure reinforces the government's commitment to regional Australia, it helps protect tourism and local hospitality jobs, and it supports Australian brewers, particularly small and independent producers who supply draught beer to local venues. Many of these brewers rely heavily on keg sales to maintain cash flow and jobs.

The benefits of this policy reach beyond pubs and brewers. They flow to farmers, transport operators, equipment suppliers and the thousands of small businesses linked to the hospitality supply chain. This is a cost-of-living measure that also strengthens small-business resilience. It's a clear example of responsible government action, designed to make a difference without driving inflation or compromising fiscal discipline.

The Albanese Labor government has listened to industry feedback from brewers, from publicans and from the small-business groups, who have consistently called for relief from automatic excise increases during a period of high inflation. We've heard them and we've acted on that. Our approach is pragmatic and balanced. It provides targeted support where it's most needed while ensuring excise arrangements return to normal after the pause. It forms part of a broader package of small-business supports that includes extended instant asset write-offs, support for digital transformation and lower energy costs for small operators.

This policy reflects Labor's belief that responsible government can ease pressure on families and businesses while maintaining the economic discipline required to keep the budget sustainable. It's a demonstration of Labor's partnership with the hospitality, tourism and manufacturing sector industries that drive local jobs and form the backbone of many regional economies. The pause ensures that small brewers and publicans can continue competing fairly against large multinational producers, protecting diversity and competition in Australia's beer and hospitality industries.

The government remains committed to evidence based health policy and responsible consumption. The pause does not change the overall structure of alcohol taxation or weaken public health objectives. This measure is time limited, fiscally responsible and carefully calibrated to help small businesses through a challenging period. It is another example of Labor governing with balance and purpose, backing small business, protecting workers and ensuring that Australians can continue to enjoy affordable, responsible hospitality at their local pub or club.

This decision also shows that the Albanese government is in touch with community life. We understand the pressures small businesses face and we act decisively to support them. This is about keeping our local venues open, keeping people in work and keeping communities connected—values that sit at the heart of the Labor tradition. It is good, steady, responsible government in action, targeted relief, real results and a fair go for Australian workers and small-business owners alike.

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