News & Media

News 01/05/2026

Spirits tax settings creating risks for the alcohol industry We are concerned that high excise rates, equating to more than $30 on a standard 700mL bottle of spirits, combined with loose controls around alcohol producer tax breaks, are creating an environment that risks incentivising demand for tax-free alcohol and opportunistic behaviour.  

News 02/04/2026

Lost opportunity as Senate alcohol tax debate gagged The growing proportion of people who prefer to drink spirits will continue to miss out on tax relief provided to beer after Labor and the Greens yesterday combined to vote down a crucial amendment in the Senate.

News 03/02/2026

Spirits drinkers face another tax hike on their favourite drink  Australia's tax on spirits, already the highest in the world outside of Scandinavia, will rise once again today to $107.99 per litre of alcohol.

News 26/03/2025

Stormy global outlook demands trade diversification Budget predictions of a challenging and uncertain global economy compel the Albanese Government to diversify exports, the spirits industry says.

News 01/03/2025

Beer favouritism ‘misguided and disappointing’ The Albanese Government’s freeze on draught beer excise discriminates against spirits producers, drinkers and the entire distilling supply chain, the spirits industry says.

News 20/02/2025

Spirits industry welcomes bipartisan support Australian spirits manufacturers have welcomed recommendations from a federal parliamentary inquiry that will assist in unlocking the industry’s $1 billion export potential.

News 29/01/2025

Lower inflation offers little respite for spirits industry The Australian spirits industry has acknowledged today’s inflation figures, while stressing they provide no redress for five years’ worth of excessive tax increases.

News 20/01/2025

Australian spirits ripe for export boom: Bill Lark The Federal Government can deliver an economic windfall for Regional Australia by investing to grow exports of Australian craft spirits, says whisky pioneer Bill Lark.

News 31/07/2024

$104 spirits tax: ‘Not what Keating intended’ The Federal Government has confirmed the world’s third highest spirits tax will be increased yet again on 5 August to $103.89 per litre.

News 05/06/2024

Inquiry hears case for urgent spirits industry reforms Australia will miss out on the economic opportunity presented by its promising spirits manufacturing sector without urgent intervention by the Federal Government.