FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 OCTOBER 2018

Corporate welfare for brewers is a hypocritical policy, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.

Taxpayer’s Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “The Ministry of Primary Industry’s decision to throw money at research for ‘top tier’ beer markets isn’t just wasteful corporate welfare – it’s social elitism.”

“At the same time the Government hammers ordinary beer drinkers with excise tax, it’s giving millions in handouts to upmarket producers. Apparently beer is evil, unless it’s being made for rich people.”

“New Zealand’s upmarket beer sector is going through boom phase and is capable of funding its own research. A $5 million taxpayer-funded subsidy is just gravy on top.”
ENDS

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