The New Zealand Taxpayers Union has come out swinging against a new joint venture between the government and Garage Project, intended to develop unique super-premium hops for craft brewers and uniquely New Zealand craft beer for top tier markets, describing it as “corporate welfare.”
“The Ministry of Primary Industry’s decision to throw money at research for ‘top tier’ beer markets isn’t just wasteful corporate welfare – it’s social elitism,” said Taxpayer’s Union spokesperson Louis Houlbrooke. “At the same time the Government hammers ordinary beer drinkers with excise tax, it’s giving millions in handouts to upmarket producers. Apparently beer is evil, unless it’s being made for rich people.”
The Union noted that the beer sector is going through a “boom phase” and should be capable of funding its own research.
“A $5 million taxpayer-funded subsidy is just gravy on top.”
