Anthony Albanese increases beer tax as energy bills soar trends now Double cost of living blow for millions of Australians as Anthony Albanese increases a major tax - with energy bills also soaring from TODAY By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia Published: 19:51 GMT, 31 January 2023 | Updated: 19:59 GMT, 31 January 2023 Viewcomments Millions of Aussies have been slugged with more price hikes as the cost of living crisis worsens. Beer prices will soar to as much as $12 a schooner after a 3.7 per cent tax increase from the Albanese government came into effect on Wednesday, the second rise within six months. Anthony Albanese's price pain comes as Australia's three biggest energy companies increased gas prices in five states and territories. It coincides with the launch of an inquiry into the cost of living crisis. The inquiry will hear from oil companies and supermarket chains to determine if enough was done to stop skyrocketing prices. Millions of Aussies have been slugged with more price hikes as the cost of living crisis worsens. Origin Energy, EnergyAustralia and AGL's increased their gas tariffs on Wednesday, affecting their customers across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. Price hikes for households will vary wildly by location and provider. Origin Energy says Victorians will pay 21.1 per cent more from February 1, while Queensland customers will fare much better with a 5.8 per cent rise. Origin's small business customers can expect an average increase of 10.5 per cent or $579 per year. The latest beer tax is linked to inflation, which earlier this week saw the highest annual leap since 1990. Increasing for the fourth consecutive quarter, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) saw a year-on-year increase of 7.8 per cent. Australians now pay the fourth highest beer tax in the world, behind Japan, Finland, and Norway. Origin Energy and AGL are both raising gas prices for residential and small business customers, blaming high wholesale costs for the change As Brewers Association lobbies for a two-year freeze on tax increases, federal treasurer Jim Chalmers indicated it won't be forthcoming. "This is the usual, automatic indexation change that happens twice a year under governments of both persuasions and it's not a new decision of this government," a spokesperson told Nine News. "We listen respectfully to ideas put to us but these have to be weighed up against other priorities and fiscal challenges – with a budget that's heaving with a trillion dollars of debt. " The average residential customer will see prices rise by about 8.1 per cent or approximately $90 per year Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility