The Independent Brewers Association (IBA) has highlighted “room for hope” for the retail sector in the Federal Budget that was handed down this week, with the Liquor Stores Association WA welcoming a positive for liquor retail.
Although there was disappointment at the lack of direct support for independent breweries, the IBA did say there was a glimmer of hope that some of the Budget announcements will ultimately benefit the sector.
The Government appeared to implement some of the recommendations from the supermarket inquiry by committing to a funding boost of $38.8m to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to crack down on “misleading and deceptive pricing practices and unconscionable conduct” in the supermarket and retail sector.
The IBA said that while the supermarket inquiry did not encompass alcohol retail, the inclusion of the broader retail sector in the ACCC funding “gives room for hope”.
IBA CEO Kylie Lethbridge said: “We will be the first ones knocking on the door of the ACCC ensuring that some of the funding they have been allocated goes to addressing the shocking market conditions in the beer industry.
“Never has there been a point in time where so many federal inquires have made recommendations to address our issues – and we will be holding any future Government’s to account for those recommendations.”
Liquor Stores Association WA CEO Peter Peck, also welcomed the news, telling National Liquor News: “Anything that can help bring a level playing field in funding for liquor retail can only be a positive, because everyone – large and small – has to be accountable for their actions.”
The IBA also welcomed the Government’s commitment to work with states and territories to extend Unfair Trading Practices protections to small businesses. But the association said it was “at a loss” as to why a review into the beer industry was not funded in a Budget that was seemingly focused on supporting small businesses and increasing competition.