Hon Mark Mitchell
Associate Minister of Justice
30 June 2017
Changes recognise tobacco tax increases
The Government is taking steps to ensure that small grocery businesses can continue to hold liquor licences, Associate
Justice Minister Mark Mitchell announced today.
The moves are designed to ensure the continued responsible sale and supply of alcohol. Under the Sale and Supply of
Alcohol Act 2012, grocery stores can hold an off-licence if the store’s principal business is the sale of food products,
which is based on sales revenue.
“The Government is aware that, as a result of tobacco excise tax increases, some grocery stores may be unable to renew
off-licences to sell alcohol,” Mr Mitchell says.
“Allowing grocery stores to sell alcohol supports the message of drinking responsibly by eating food when having a
drink. The law is clear on that, for good reason.”
As a result of tobacco excise tax increases, the main source of revenue for some grocery stores has changed to tobacco
products. These stores therefore no longer qualify as grocery stores and cannot be issued an off-licence.
“It is not the purpose of tobacco excise tax increases to restrict small grocery stores from being able to sell
alcohol,” Mr Mitchell says.
“To address the unintended impacts of these increases on grocery stores, the Government is making minor changes to the
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Regulations 2013 to exclude the tobacco excise tax when determining a store’s principal
business.”
The changes will be introduced in the coming months.
ends