Out of all the sectors of the Australian economy, the hospitality industry has been hit hardest by Labor’s cost-of-living crisis.

Pubs, clubs, tourism businesses, hotels and restaurants in Australia have all been doing it very tough in this crisis after struggling through COVID-19 lockdowns .

All their costs are going up: energy to keep the lights on and the food and drinks cold; council rates; rents and leases; insurance; and labour.

At the same time their revenues are falling because one of the first things people cut from household budgets under pressure in a cost-of-living crisis is their social activity.

That makes sense for a struggling household and I wouldn’t criticise such a sensible measure for a minute. It does, however, impact the industry that directly caters to social activity and it has another, more insidious effect.

Social activity in Australia takes many forms but altogether it is an important outlet for people. It’s a way to relieve stress, to personally connect with friends and family or to get some time alone. It’s called living rather than just existing, and it’s important for our mental health.

Since the pandemic we’ve been worried about the impacts of social isolation on Australians’ mental wellbeing, and due to the rising cost of living these concerns aren’t going away.

The Albanese Labor government has also effectively halved mental health support for Australians, reducing subsidised appointments from 20 to 10 per year.

One of the most common social activities for countless Australians is a night out—at the local pub, at their local sporting or community club, a nightclub or a restaurant—and one of the things that makes it more expensive than it has to be is the excise on alcoholic beverages.

One Nation is campaigning to abolish the excise on alcohol served at hospitality venues, and to freeze excise increases on all eligible alcohol. We want to cut the cost of a good night out, and give struggling hospitality venues a much-needed shot in the arm.

Labor and the Coalition have copied One Nation with their own excise cuts for this coming election, although their watered-down policies aren’t much better than watered-down beer.

It shows that One Nation’s influence on Federal politics extends far beyond the votes wielded by two senators, and that by leading the way with good reforms we can drag the major parties with us.