Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Wednesday 8 October 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading
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2. Monday 3 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   Members debated legislation to freeze draught beer excise indexation for two years, with government members arguing it provided cost-of-living relief and stability for small businesses. Opposition members supported the freeze but criticized it as insufficient, calling for broader tax reform and extension to spirits, while Michael McCormack opposed the bills as a political stunt that failed to address the cost-of-living crisis. Independent member Monique Ryan supported the bill but advocated for a permanent freeze, highlighting the social importance of pubs and clubs. The debate acknowledged the need for relief but differed on the scope and duration of the solution, with McCormack calling for a thorough examination of how alcohol excise is structured.

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3. Monday 24 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned legislation pausing the indexation of draught beer excise and customs duties for two years. The government argued this measure provided cost certainty for pubs, clubs, and breweries, supporting small businesses and community hubs. The opposition supported the pause, noting it offered relief to operators facing margin pressures. The debate concluded with the second reading speeches delivered by both sides.

   Outcome: The second reading speeches were delivered; the transcript does not state the final vote result.

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4. Tuesday 25 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on government legislation to freeze the indexation of draught beer excise and customs duties for two years starting 1 August 2025. Government members argued the measure provided targeted relief to hospitality venues and small brewers, while opposition members supported the freeze but criticised it as insufficient to address broader inflation and cost-of-living pressures. An independent member raised concerns about market competition for independent brewers and proposed expanding relief to bottled and canned beer, alongside highlighting issues with illegal tobacco trade.

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5. Thursday 27 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned legislation to pause the indexation of draught beer excise and equivalent customs duties for two years, commencing 1 August 2025. All speakers supported the bills, arguing that the measure provides targeted cost-of-living relief and stability for approximately 10,000 hospitality venues, particularly small family businesses. Members emphasised that the pause protects around 160,000 jobs in the hospitality and brewing sectors and supports community hubs such as pubs and clubs. The debate concluded with the motion being carried, as all speakers commended the bills to the House.

   Outcome: The bills were commended to the House and passed.

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6. Tuesday 3 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   Members debated the government's proposal to freeze beer excise indexation for two years, with critics arguing the measure provided negligible relief of approximately 1 cent per pint. Opposition members and crossbenchers contended that the freeze was insufficient to address rising costs for hospitality venues and consumers, calling instead for comprehensive excise reform or total elimination of the tax on draught beer. Barnaby Joyce moved an amendment to eliminate alcohol excise duty on products consumed on-premises in hospitality venues, arguing that high taxes were driving patrons away from pubs and toward illicit or home consumption. The debate highlighted concerns about the viability of regional hotels, the impact on small breweries, and broader economic issues such as inflation and government spending. The debate was adjourned without a recorded vote on the amendment or the bill's passage in this transcript.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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7. Wednesday 4 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate focused on two amendments moved by the National Party to extend a pause on alcohol tax indexation to tap spirits and mandate a Treasury review of the alcohol tax system. The government opposed the amendments, arguing the existing bill balanced support for pubs with budget sustainability. The National Party argued the current system was broken and overly complex, requiring comprehensive reform. Both amendments were defeated in division.

   Outcome: Both amendments were defeated, with divisions resulting in votes of 27 to 76 and 21 to 83 against.

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8. Wednesday 4 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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9. Wednesday 4 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned legislation to freeze the excise tax on draught beer for two years, a commitment made by the Labor government. Speakers from across the chamber supported the measure as a cost-of-living relief for pubs, clubs, and brewers, highlighting the social and economic importance of these venues. Opposition members argued that while the freeze was welcome, it was insufficient given rising costs in other areas and proposed amendments to extend the freeze to spirits. The government rejected these amendments as uncosted and beyond the bill's scope, noting separate budget support for brewers. The bills were not passed following a division.

   Outcome: The bills were not passed following a division of 9 votes against and 64 votes for.

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10. Thursday 5 February 2026 · Senate

    First Reading
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11. Thursday 5 February 2026 · Senate

    Second Reading

    The Senate debated two bills designed to freeze the indexation of draught beer excise for two years. The Minister for Industry and Innovation moved the second reading, arguing the measures would provide financial certainty and support to the hospitality sector. The legislation pauses automatic biannual excise increases linked to consumer price index inflation from August 2025 until July 2027. The debate concluded with the motion being adjourned.

    Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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12. Wednesday 1 April 2026 · Senate

    Limitation of Debate

    The Senate debated the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025. Katy Gallagher moved an amendment noting the link between alcohol use and violence against women and calling for stronger regulations. David Pocock indicated support for the opposition's amendments. The bills were passed after divisions on the amendments failed.

    Outcome: The bills were passed following divisions where the amendments were not carried.

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