COUNTRY pubs that had their liquor licence fees increased by up to 300 per cent are still waiting for a review of the charges.
This is despite the Victorian Government's promise to reconsider the charges months ago.
The Government last year increased fees by almost 300 per cent for many bush pubs, in a move publicans said was to help curb alcohol-fuelled violence in Melbourne.
Consumer Affairs Minister, Tony Robinson, last week vowed to remove liquor licence renewal fees for bed and breakfasts, florists and gift-maker businesses.
He introduced new guidelines, which will come into play in 2012, which exempt 400 B&Bs and 200 gift-maker businesses from paying a yearly licence renewal fee.
Business owners will be required to notify the Director of Liquor Licensing that they intend to serve alcohol.
Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, welcomed the move, but he said more work was needed to fix flaws in the risk-based fee structure.
He said country pubs were still waiting for some relief from the hefty fee increases.
Dr Sykes has also called for a review of the hardship criteria which allows for a review of licences fees.
He said instead of the criteria applying to businesses whose fees were more than 1 per cent of gross income, it should instead apply to businesses paying more than 1 per cent of their net profit from alcohol sales in fees.
"This would more realistically reflect those that were experiencing hardship," he said.
A spokesman for Mr Robinson said work was being carried out with consultants and the liquor industry to "conduct a more detailed examination of the risks associated with country hotels".
