Country liquor licensees, already fuming over massive increases in fees are now seeing red as they learn that Premier John Brumby has pledged to ‘fine tune’ liquor licence laws to ensure that popular inner city Melbourne venue, the Tote, can afford to continue to operate, according to Nationals Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh.
“This is political opportunism at its worst,” said Mr Walsh.
“The Tote closed last week citing costs of compliance with liquor licence laws as the cause.
“Minister for Consumer Affairs, Tony Robinson stood firm stating that strict licensing conditions, including significant security costs, were necessary and would not be reduced for the Tote.
“Then when 2,000 people protested in Spring Street and 20,000 people signed an e-petition calling for the re-opening of the Tote, suddenly Mr Brumby pledged on Melbourne radio station, Triple M, to ‘fine tune’ controversial liquor licence laws to allow the Tote to re-open.
“At the same time Mr Brumby is refusing to be moved by the pleas of hundreds of small country liquor licensees hurt by the massive liquor licence fee hikes.
“Of significance is that the Tote is in a very marginal, inner city seat held by the Labor Party’s Richard Wynne.
“Mr Brumby’s actions confirm what many people have long suspected, that his policies are based on holding onto power regardless of who gets hurt in the process,” Mr Walsh said.
“I again call on Mr Brumby to immediately reduce liquor licence fees for the hundreds of small, minimal risk businesses that have their financial viability put at risk by liquor licence fee hikes of over 400%.”
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