The federal government says the opposition's stance on the new alcopop tax could mean that taxes paid by consumers could end up going straight to the alcohol industry.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the $300 million already raised by the new tax will go back to the manufacturers if the Senate blocks the alcopops laws, which is looking likely.
"As I understand it from the legislation, if the Liberals proceed with blocking this in the Senate, which they seem to be doing, that $300 million then gets anchored into the back pocket of the distillers," Mr Rudd told Fairfax Radio Network today.
"Basically the distillers obtain for themselves a windfall.
"Now I've got to say, why do you think the distillery companies have been jumping up and down so much about this?"
Mr Rudd is using that possibility to try to bludgeon opposition senators into passing the laws.
The Liberals say the industry must not get the money and the alcopops makers say they do not want it.
Our members do not seek to profit from a situation in which the government is forced to return tax revenues collected without Senate approval," Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia spokesman Stephen Riden said.
"If and when enabling legislation is rejected by the Senate, all revenue gained from this poorly conceived tax trial should be returned to the community for use in alcohol-related harm minimisation programs.
"The $200 million collected to date would make a huge impact if directed towards community-based education and intervention programs."
The government increased the tax on alcopops by 70 per cent in April, saying the move would help stamp out teen binge-drinking but the opposition opposes the move, saying it's just a tax grab.
