'Tis but a desperate grab for more $$$ needed for Wayne's dwindling coffers, same as the recent reduction in duty free allowances on tobacco products. Health issues are but a cover for the real agenda. Low-cost wines are NOT bought exclusively by problem drinkers. I have, at times of wine gluts, picked up large stocks of some very good "reds" in the form of "cleanskins", paying $5 or less per bottle when buying by the box of 1 dozen. Cost was not the issue, as some of these reds were more appealing to my personal palate then triple-medalion award winning wines at $40/bottle. I was certainly not alone there. Increased prices for casks will NOT, imo, have a beneficial impact on health among Aboriginal communities, as they will pay the increased price and skimp elsewhere. 30 years back, unscrupulous people were receiving up to $50/ flagon for wine in communities where alcohol was restricted....or up to $10 dollars a can. That shows price increases wont deter. When travelling, once the beer purchased at Liquorland runs out & we restock at Marble Bar, Nullagine , Rabbit Flat, etc, does the large increase in price affect our drinking? Hic no. lol. Will increased prices affect drink-driving? Not really. Drinkdrivers are hard-core, who will drink at whatever price, and drive at whatever risk, in the main. Wont affect them one zilch. The only ones affected by all this, apart from those on low income, will be elderly pensioners, who would still enjoy a smoke and a tipple as they wait to die. Will the govt at least give these people a concession? I dont think so. All sheer humbug. Guess I better start stocking up, huh? Or start stomping on my own grapes. There are principles involved.
