Tax hike threat to off-licences

Nearly two-thirds of independent off-licences will be at risk of closure if excise duty is increased again later this year, according to a members’ survey.

Budget 2015 isn’t until October 14, but the National Off Licences Association (Noffla) isn’t taking any chances and has already launched its pre-budget submission.

Meanwhile, the Department of Finance is urgently trying to find a replacement for exiting secretary general John Moran before July when it will seriously knuckle down to pre-budget planning.