The corner store has been a cornerstone of suburban life for generations but it could become a thing of the past under Labor’s chaotic alcohol policies.
Outgoing Liquor Commissioner Richard Coates today hinted at a bleak future for small grocery stores as the Commission enforces Labor’s 25 per cent cap on liquor sales.
Shadow Minister for Business Marie-Clare Boothby said the Commissioner’s comments this morning about fining corner stores spoke to the Fyles Government’s misguided priorities.
“Instead of going after problem drunks they’re going after the mum and dad operators of corner stores,” she said.
“The government set a cap on alcohol sales at an arbitrary 25 per cent of total sales but there is no evidence to show a cap of 25 per cent will reduce alcohol-related harm.
“We do know corner stores play an important role in our community but we also know many are not viable without alcohol sales.”
Mr Coates this morning said a business in remote areas might not be viable without liquor sales but people in those areas relied on the business as a source for food.
“But in the suburban areas where people are no longer going to the grocery store for their fruit and vegetables and they are becoming de facto liquor stores, well that’s a problem.”
“If the community is not wanting to go to them for their groceries and other things, then there’s a question as to whether they really are benefitting the community overall.”
Ms Boothby said corner stores were already copping a 42 per cent rise in freight costs and additional costs of break-ins and repairs.
“When businesses and Territorians are struggling with increasing costs, the priority for the Fyles government is slapping fines on people breaching a randomly selected cap,” she said.
“These small businesses have to report on their compliance with the cap every quarter so even though they might comply with the cap across the year, a seasonal spike (such as holidays or dry season) can see them hit with a crippling fine.
“Either the Labor government doesn’t understand how small businesses work or they just don’t want them to work at all.”
ENDS