The Australian Real Craft Beer Association (ARCBA) is asking for support in the upcoming budget to help create new jobs and make small brewers export-ready.
According to The Shout, the Association has released a whitepaper calling on the government to provide excise relief and funding for the craft beer industry.
To help bring Australia in line with other OECD countries, the whitepaper calls for the government to increase excise tax rebates for small and independent brewers to $300,000.
The ARCBA is arguing that every dollar provided in excise relief will return $5 in GST, employment and taxes and contribute $27.70 in total revenue to local and regional communities.
A portion of the excise tax revenue should go towards supporting and educating craft brewers, exploring export opportunities and developing the beer tourism market, the whitepaper suggests.
The ARCBA is also calling for investment grants for small brewers so they can improve their energy efficiency and foster tourism, and government support for increasing the value-add for our malt export industry.
David Hollyoak, ARCBA chairman, said "It is time to get behind Australian small independent brewers, bringing Australian real craft beer in line with the rest of the world, providing access to investment funding to grow the real craft beer industry and letting Australians enjoy and appreciate real craft beers."