‘‘As it stands, Australia’s tax system awards beer producers for lowering alcohol content. In 2007 Foster’s dropped the alcohol in VB from 4.9 per cent to 4.8 per cent and saved $20 million per year. Bizarrely though, wine is not taxed on its alcohol content but its wholesale price. So while full-strength beer is taxed an approximate 39 cents per standard drink cask wine is taxed six cents and bottled wine 26 cents per standard drink – and there are rebates for smaller producers.’’

Anna Krien
Booze Territory
Black Inc (2015)