ABCL Submission to Treasury: Economic Reform Rountable
The Australian Beverages Council Limited (ABCL), representing the non-alcoholic beverages industry, provided a submission to the Commonwealth Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable. The industry contributes approximately $10.4 billion per year to the Australian economy and includes micro, small, medium, and large manufacturers.
The submission highlights the regulatory and operational challenges facing the sector and sets out recommendations to support efficiency, innovation, and environmental outcomes. Key points include:
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Regulation & Labelling: Consolidate labelling responsibilities under a single authority, implement coordinated federal and state approaches, and provide sufficient adjustment periods for regulatory changes to reduce compliance complexity.
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Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) Harmonisation: Accelerate efforts to harmonise state and territory schemes to reduce administrative burdens and support small, regional businesses.
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Circular Economy & Recycling: Encourage domestic processing of recovered materials, give beverage manufacturers first right of refusal on recycled content, and support the development of a sustainable packaging ecosystem.
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Taxation & Policy Settings: Maintain GST-free status and reject product-specific taxes, ensuring policy settings do not impede industry growth.