The Federal Government’s intention to introduce a minimum floor pricing plan has been met with opposition from the liquor industry. The government’s strategy would eventually result in an increase in the cost of alcohol, with hopes that this will reduce the number of alcohol related violent and criminal innocents induced by drinking

But the Australian National Preventative Health Agency (ANPHA) which is part of the federal; government recommends the new taxes be introduced as soon as possible. This would result in the increase in the cost of cask wine to $47.70 for a four litre.

The alcohol industry has however slammed the proposal which it believes would harshly impact responsible drinkers who simply cannot afford to purchase the more premium alcohol products such as pensioners. They have also expressed their opinions that this strategy would do little to combat the underage drinking and binge drinking which the government aims to target. The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) also rejected the minimum pricing strategy because of its impact on pensioners.

The problem with the new strategy, according to those in the liquor industry is that it will negatively affect both responsible and irresponsible drinkers. Major retailers have joined in to criticize the government’s plan which it believes should be targeted at the specific problem community and not to the entire nation in general.