When is a tax not a tax

Dear Beagle Editor, Many are suggesting that a new "tax" will come into play with the NSW Government Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) begin in NSW on 1st December 2017. Under the scheme anyone who hands in eligible drink bottle containers at the designated sites from December 1 will get a 10 cent refund. Beverage suppliers and the scheme's administration will pay for the refunds. The suppliers have already indicated that they will begin to increase their prices on 1st November. It means retailers will have to increase as well their prices to cover the additional administrative and handling fees. It’s a big increase on all the drinks (alcohol and soft drinks). So far the media release is very poor and unclear. I think it’s important to inform the community and ask how it will work. The increase will not go into the businesses pockets. It’s a TAX!!! And what will happen to soft drinks when the proposed Sugar Tax is introduced? Name and address supplied

"This is the biggest initiative to tackle litter in the state’s history and it will make a massive difference to the amount of rubbish on our streets, parks and waterways." Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton (pictured above).

#Opinion