Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson has confirmed the Liberal Party will join the Nationals in calling for a one-year excise freeze for on-tap spirits poured at pubs, clubs and bars.

National MP Pat Conaghan moved an amendment to include spirits when the Australian Parliament debated a draft beer tax freeze last month, with the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 passing its third reading on Wednesday.

Conaghan said: “Why should Australians who prefer spirits be singled out to keep paying tax increases while beer drinkers get a break?

“The government has decided one drink deserves a relief from tax hikes and the other doesn’t.”

He argued that lighter spirits and mixed drinks were more often consumed by women and young people, who would not benefit from the excise freeze.

“This government likes to pretend it’s a friend to women and younger Australians, but clearly not if you don’t prefer beer,” he said.

However, his suggested amendment was voted down 23 to 81.

The Coalition is campaigning for the excise freeze to be extended to include tap spirits such as seltzers, alcoholic soft drinks and batch cocktails.

The Coalition will also call for a review into the alcohol excise tax, the first of its kind in more than a century. 

The Australian Tax Office raised the excise duty on spirits in early February, up from $105.98 per litre to $107.99 per litre.

“Our amendment requires the government to conduct a proper, evidence-based review, so we can finally fix up the mess,” he told The Daily Telegraph.