IS IT ANY WONDER POKER MACHINES ARE NOW THE SAVIOUR OF THIS AILING INDUSTRY? LAST SHOUT FOR PUBS
WHO’D be a publican? The cost of running a pub is rising, and with patronage falling, the flow- on effect of government greed is at risk of sending these iconic NQ watering holes to the wall.
This week pub owners told of the power costs that are crippling their businesses, and once the new container taxes are added to outrageous alcohol taxes, how can they stay afloat?
Going to the pub used to be an affordable way for all ages to socialise. Now, due to prohibitive pricing, even a quiet night out is a luxury many can’t afford.
When the GST was introduced it was supposed to replace taxes on items, not be added to the government take. But with taxes on alcohol making up over 20 per cent of the cost, should we be surprised that cheaper illicit substances are on the rise?
Remember the alcopop tax? We were told making pre- mixed drinks more expensive would help prevent young people from binge drinking.
Thanks to that genius move, a single can of UDL is now $ 10 at a pub, ($ 12 if a band is playing) with the kids it was supposed to “protect” realising it’s a far better option to buy a litre of spirits at the bottle shop and mix it themselves.
If that’s not considered a binge, I’ll go “hee”, but really can you blame them?
It’s good economics, but another hit to the hotel trade.
You only have to rewind a decade or so to the days when pubs were busy, and affordable.
Any Friday night would see the Great Northern, the Newmarket, the Brewery and Molly Malones to name a few, fully staffed to cope with the crush at the bar, and crowds spilling doorways onto the footpath. Meals were cheap and punters drank and smoked until closing, until governments decided it was in our best interests that we shouldn’t.
The Federal Government’s alcohol taxes and excise caused a home brewing explosion, the State Government’s smoking bans saw smokers drink at home, and local government cowing to sole noise complainants means our music scene is struggling and publicans are working ridiculous hours for little reward.
Is it any wonder poker machines are now the saviour of this ailing industry?
All that is required is a few problem gambling signs displaying a crisis phone number, and with poker machine approvals for the Watermark and Rambutan in place, it’s clear gambling is the new way for any venue to combat increases they can’t control, like electricity and taxes.
Governments defend tax increases by saying they’re in our best interests, but their increasing reliance on gambling income will force pubs and bars to become mini casinos to survive.
Is this what we want for our city? Darkened rooms filled with people feeding money into machines?
We elect governments to make good decisions on our behalf, but how can they when they’re addicted to the income they collect from the vices they say they’re protecting us from?
The question is, what will they tax to cover gambling, our next social health epidemic?
Sorry publicans, but I reckon it will be that easily- milked Aussie cash cow: Beer.