The Nationals Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp has echoed colleagues’ comments in the Victorian Parliament in slamming the Brumby Government’s treatment of small town pubs and businesses in regards to the base liquor licence fees.
“My colleagues and I have condemned the Brumby Government for introducing a liquor licence fee system that threatens the future viability of many pubs, clubs, bottle shops, wineries, not for profit organisations and family owned licensed grocers within our country electorates.
“The Brumby Government is yet to acknowledge the absolute disgrace that this new system is.
“My office is constantly receiving calls about the increases, and to hear about the dire situation of these businesses is very distressing.
“Regional communities are suffering, and the Premier does not want to acknowledge this fact. Instead he is too busy working out a new system for the bigger venues in Melbourne.
“These double standards are unacceptable and I will continue to raise these inequalities in Parliament for as long as is necessary.
“The heartless attitude of the government shows that it is more concerned with revenue raising than helping small businesses facing closure under Labor’s unfair liquor licensing tax grab.
“We must keep the pressure up to try and get the government to review its entire licence fee reform agenda to get some equity and common-sense back into the system.”
Media Contact: Peter Crisp (03) 5021 2828
