MP backs beer tax

The National National

MEMBER for South Bougainville Timothy Masiu has supported steps taken by the Bougainville government to tax the purchase of South Pacific beer in the autonomous region.
Maisu said in a statement that the Bougainville government’s decision to tax the sale of beer was well-judged.
“All communities know that the true cost of South Pacific beer is more than the price of a carton,” he said.
He said the true cost included:

  • Gender-based violence as drunken men hit their wives;
  • money needed for food, school fees, housing and more disappearing; and,
  • Drivers and passengers die or are injured as drunken drivers smash their vehicles.