Anthony Albanese’s electorate has the highest concentration of craft breweries of all, but he has been accused of turning his back on the once-thriving industry that stands for the latest drinks.
The Prime Minister found love for a second time with his now fiancée, Jodie Haydon, at Young Henrys, one of 18 microbreweries in Sydney’s west.
But the pub’s founder, Richard Adamson, and the national body representing more than 600 craft breweries in Australia, say Albanese is destroying the industry, which contributes $1.93 billion annually to the national economy and employs about 10,000 people. has, has left.
“When he was in opposition he supported and helped get the duty remission scheme (for excise alcohol) through (in 2021),” said Mr Adamson, who is also chairman of the Inner West Breweries Association.
“But I think he has bigger fish to fry at this point (than helping us).”
Independent Brewers Association CEO Kylie Lethbridge said Albanese refused to listen to the industry’s serious concerns, especially around the need for relief from the exorbitant beer tax, which accounts for about a third of beer sales (the third highest in the world, after Norway and Finland).
Asked whether it is time to call on the Prime Minister to intervene personally to help ease pressure on the embattled industry, she said: “We have – several times, up until last Friday.
“He continues to ignore our plea without even the courtesy of a response,” Ms Lethbridge told Daily Mail Australia.
Anthony Albanese has the highest concentration of craft breweries of any federal electorate – but he’s turned his back on the once-thriving industry in favor of the last drinks
The Prime Minister found love for a second time with his now fiancée, Jodie Haydon, at Young Henrys, one of 18 microbreweries in Sydney’s inner west
It goes against a promise the MP made to Grayndler when he was in opposition in June 2017 to support his local craft breweries, including Hawke’s Brewing, co-founded by his late mentor and ex-Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
“One of the concerns of brewers is the fact that Commonwealth excise duties are higher on small barrels than on larger barrels, which puts brewers at a competitive disadvantage compared to large brewers,” Mr Albanese said.
“I am disappointed that this anomaly was not addressed in Budget 2017, but I will continue to support the industry in its pursuit of sensible reforms, as well as regulatory changes at state and local government level.”
Ms Lethbridge warned that within 12 months the industry may no longer survive without urgent government support as production costs rise by as much as 40 per cent, pushing 20 microbreweries into bankruptcy nationally in the past year.
“We will absolutely see more independent craft breweries closing their doors, going through the small business restructuring program or moving to voluntary administration if nothing changes,” she said.
“Unless consumers get some cost-of-living relief, our summer, when warmer weather usually generates higher sales, will not stop others from closing their doors, leading to further job losses.
“And the ultimate pint in the pub will still be out of reach for many Australians.”
The average price of a pint of beer in Sydney is now $15, making a night at the pub with friends more than many.
Mr Adamson said it was now “a matter of hanging in there until the economy really improves”.
Former Prime Minister and Labor hero Bob Hawke at the craft brewery named after him in Sydney
Jodie Haydon and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the foot of Canberra in 2022
“Thank God there was no new rate hike in September,” he said.
‘It has been a difficult time for many people.
“Like other companies, we received government support (during the COVID-19 pandemic) that kept us afloat at the time.
“But if we were to get out of it without help, because of the economic changes and some breweries deferring taxes at the time, thinking we would reopen, the whole thing would come back to life.
“At government level, the cupboard is empty and the debts we have deferred now really need to be repaid, but many breweries do not have the capacity for that.”
He said there is no level playing field between independent brewers and the two ‘big boys’ – Lion and CUB – who together own 85 per cent of the market and the majority of beer taps in Australian pubs.
‘We have submitted comments about this to questions from the government. “The creeping red tape keeps coming in, whether it’s labeling or other compliance measures,” he said.
“The barriers we face to running a small family business are only getting worse.”
Both Lion, which produces XXXX, Tooheys, Stone & Wood, and CUB, makers of the popular beers Great Northern, Carlton Draft and VB, are owned by Japanese companies.
“Many beer drinkers would think that these iconic brands are still Australian owned and that their hard-earned money would remain in Australia,” Adamson said.