By Andy Young
The Liquor Stores Association for NSW and ACT is officially launching its campaign against the ACT proposed liquor reforms and increased fees in Canberra on Tuesday.
The launch is the start of the retail liquor industry’s campaign against the harsh reforms proposed by the ACT government. Similar campaigns are currently underway from Keep Canberra Open and ClubsACT and both have been well received and the LSA’s executive officer, Michael Waters, is keen to both build on this momentum and to make sure that off-premise retailers are not made scapegoats in this agenda.
Waters told TheShout: "This is an important launch and it would be great for ACT liquor retailers to come along and show their support."
The launch will commence at 10.45am for an 11am start at Jim Murphy Market Cellars, 19 Mildura Street, Fyshwick. During the launch the LSA will be distributing point-of-sale material (posters, flyers and petitions) for retailers to take back to their stores.
LSA said it is hopeful of getting a healthy crowd and has encouraged industry stakeholders, as well as retailers, who are able to attend, to go to the launch to help spread the word and show how important an issue this is to the industry.
The ACT Government don’t care about retailers, this is just a revenue measure disguised as social policy.
If alcohol is such a problem, then maybe ACT Government should actively reduce the number of licences available. Subject to Police checks pretty much anyone in the ACT can get a licence to sell alcohol.