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Nationals Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh said a Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will ease the financial pressure on sporting clubs, small businesses and community groups by slashing Labor’s exorbitant liquor licensing fees.
“Since 2008 the Brumby government has increased fees for small sporting and community clubs by over 200% and some small businesses by up to 1000%,” Mr Walsh said.
“This has made holding a liquor licence unaffordable for many of these groups and sporting clubs and increased costs for struggling small businesses.”
Mr Walsh said the Coalition, if elected to government, will cut a range of liquor licence renewal fees by more than half, commencing from 1 January 2011.
“Sporting and social clubs are the lifeblood of many communities and they are not responsible for John Brumby’s failure to deal with a rising tide of mainly metropolitan based alcohol-related violence.
“Labor has made these groups the scapegoat for the government’s incompetence,” Mr Walsh said.
“Similarly, our restaurants, cafes and vignerons are a vital part of Victoria’s cultural mix, but Labor has treated them as though they are responsible for drunken violence and assaults.
“The Liberal Nationals Coalition will ease the financial burden on these sporting and community groups and small businesses by delivering an immediate and major reduction in their liquor licence renewal fees,” he said.
“The Coalition will support our community groups in the fantastic work they do by making liquor licence fees fair and affordable,” Mr Walsh said.
The Coalition’s policy contrasts with Labor’s policy, which only offers a fee reduction for clubs with fewer than 100 members.
“Unlike Labor, the Coalition will not penalise clubs that have worked to build their membership to 100 or more.
“A Coalition government will protect Victoria’s sporting clubs, community groups and small businesses from John Brumby’s licence fee attack,” Mr Walsh said.