Mount Isa MP Robbie Katter has called on members of parliament to act quickly and pass the Liquor (Rural Hotels Concession) Amendment Bill.
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The Legal Affairs and Community Safety committee recommended it be passed on Monday.
It’s a great outcome to get recognition of the issues faced by pubs in rural areas,” he said.
In their report, the committee noted that a majority of submitters supported the bill and these stakeholders identified the role hotels play in very remote communities, and the unfairness of these hotels having to pay the same fee as hotels in areas with larger populations.
Mr Katter introduced the private member’s bill in March this year, which proposed a new license structure for pubs located in remote parts of Australia.
“This bill is aimed at reducing the cost of operating a pub in remote Queensland. We want to recognise these small venues shouldn’t be burdened with the same license cost as a large Brisbane pub which has huge revenues.”
More than 100 pubs in Queensland will benefit from a reduction in their license fee from around $3500 to $350 if Parliament passes the bill.
The committee process identified a range of other cost factors, such as electricity pricing, that are making it harder for small businesses.
