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The Nationals Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh has slammed the Brumby Government for its blatant disregard of small, not-for-profit organisations caught up in the botched liquor licence fee reform saga.

“As well as the unfair burden that is being placed on country pubs, clubs and liquor outlets by this ill-thought out policy, the full impact is now being felt by the many small not-for-profit community groups throughout country Victoria,” Mr Walsh said today.

“Many of these liquor licensees are now starting to receive the Liquor Licence / Permit Renewal Notices and they are finding that they are being slugged an extra 427%,” he said.

“This is a disgrace.

“These organisations barely make a profit over the year and this fee increase is going to have a massive impact on their bottom line,” Mr Walsh said.

“One small country golf club in my electorate had an operating loss of $361 this past season but still felt that they had had a successful year because of the support they received from their local community and the numbers of golfers who made use of the golf course.

“This club, as do many others, works tirelessly to provide its community with a facility they can use and relax in but this massive liquor licence fee hike is going to hit the club hard, as it will the many other similar sized organisations in country Victoria,” Mr Walsh said.

“The government should be condemned for increasing liquor licence fees without any understanding of the impact on small, not-for-profit clubs.

“It is essential the government immediately reconsider these reforms with a view to introducing a fairer system,” he said.