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Good News On Liquor Licence Fees

Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe said a Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will ease the financial pressure on sporting clubs, small businesses and community groups by slashing Labor’s

By Russell Northe - 25th November 2010 - Back to News

exorbitant liquor licensing fees.

"Since 2008 the Brumby government has increased fees for many sporting and community clubs by over 1000%, increased renewable licence fees by almost 600% and more than doubled fees for vignerons," Mr Northe said.

"This has made holding a liquor licence unaffordable for many groups and sporting clubs and increased costs for struggling small businesses."

Mr Northe 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 across Gippsland. They are not responsible for John Brumby’s failure to deal with a rising tide of alcohol-related violence, but Labor has made them the scapegoat for the government’s incompetence," Mr Northe 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 Northe 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 Gippsland’s sporting clubs, community groups and small businesses from John Brumby’s licence fee attack," Mr Northe said

Under the Coalition’s policy, the following reductions in liquor licensing renewal fees will apply for the 2011 calendar year.

russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au www.russellnorthe.com.au 66 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 ph 03 5133 9088 fax 03 5133 9388

* Clubs without gaming machines

Media: Russell Northe 0408 22 55 23 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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