Release: Biggest beer tax jump in 30 years hits Aussies

The price of a beer at the pub will increase from today (3 August 2022), following another tax hike on alcohol. 

Australians already struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living will have to fork out more for a pint of beer, after the latest of 20 similar increases in the past decade. 

The four percent increase is the largest jump in 30 years and makes Australian beer drinkers the fourth most heavily taxed in the world. 

Already more than 42% of the price of a beer is tax, with only a small portion going to the venue.

Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance Chief Operations Officer Gabe Buckley said Australians were already reeling from rocketing grocery bills, sky-high petrol prices and rising interest rates.

“It is unconscionable that the government would take the opportunity to gouge the average working Australian for extra cash when they finally clock off and have time for a beer,” Mr Buckley said. 

“Much like the US Supreme Court’s definition of pornography, we can’t tell you exactly what ‘unAustralian’ means but we know it when we see it.”

Brewers Association of Australia CEO John Preston said patrons would now pay around $15 for a pint at their local. 

“For a small pub, club or other venue, the latest tax hike will mean an increase of more than $2,700 a year in their tax bill, at a time when they are still struggling to deal with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic,” Mr Preston said.

“Brewers and pub and club operators were extremely disappointed the former Government did not deliver on a proposed reduction in beer tax at this year’s March budget.

Since 2011, the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance has advocated for everyday Australians against everything from irresponsible to downright corrupt government moves.

The ATA is a grassroots advocacy group fighting for smaller government, more transparency and less bureaucracy.