Qld: Oppn says it remains opposed to alcopop tax hike
15 Apr 2009 4:21 PM
BRISBANE, April 15 AAP - The federal opposition says it will back laws validating collection of the alcopops tax to date, but continues to oppose boosting the tax rate.
Federal opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton said the original legislation which was defeated in the Senate was a rushed grab at revenue.
"The coalition's consistent position from day one has been that we will support the legislation to collect the tax over the last 12 months, to validate the collection," he told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.
"We will support good measures which address the problem of binge drinking, but we won't support these political games by the prime minister, by the treasurer and by the health minister."
The federal government on Wednesday announced plans to introduce fresh legislation in an attempt to get its alcopops tax hike passed in parliament.
Legislation will also be introduced to validate the $360 million in revenue already raised by the 70 per cent tax hike.
The Senate rejected the hike on ready-to-drink alcoholic drinks in March after Family First's Steve Fielding sided with the coalition and voted against the bill.
Mr Dutton said males were drinking more high-strength beer and women more mixed spirits drinks as a result of the measure.
