RTD tax defeated

Following the decision by the Australian senate to reject the RTD tax, Australia’s largest distillers have confirmed their immediate commitment to donate any tax refunds they receive to DrinkWise Australia.

DrinkWise Australia is an organisation focused on promoting change towards a more responsible drinking culture in Australia. DrinkWise Australia has said it will accept the funds to continue its critically important education and intervention programmes.

The companies that committed themselves to donating any tax refunds are: Brown-Forman Australia; Jim Beam Brands Australia; Bundaberg Distilling Company; Diageo Australia; Maxxium Australia and Suntory Australia.

As the saying goes: one man’s joy is another man’s sorrow. Analysts have already issued a warning that the abolishing of the RTD tax could hurt beer sales. Australian brewers Foster’s and Lion Nathan have been enjoying very pleasant growth in the past year, mostly as a result of the tax-induced shift from RTDs to beer.