The Australian wine industry can plan for the future on sure footing, with the Coalition Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package (The Package) to promote Australian wine overseas.Announced as part of the Wine Equalisation Tax Rebate Reforms last year, and included in the recent 2017/18 Federal Budget the $50 million Package was launched yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, the Hon Barnaby Joyce, and Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said this initiative would deliver important regional, national and international opportunities for Australia’s growing wine industry.

“Wine is one of the great modern success stories of Australian agriculture and nowhere is that more evident than in Barker,” Mr Pasin said.

The electorate of Barker includes the world renowned wine regions of Coonawarra, Barossa and the Riverland.

Nationally, Australia has over 2,400 wineries, which employ around 30,000 people and produce exports of $2.2 billion annually.

Mr Pasin said the free trade agreements the Coalition has signed in key markets for wine exports are now delivering opportunities to expand wine exports even further.

The Package will be delivered through Wine Australia and comprises four distinct programs that aim to transform the sector by enhancing and showcasing the nation’s wine tourism offering while driving further demand for Australia’s growing wine exports.

Australian Vignerons, the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia and Wine Australia have worked in close consultation with the Australian grape and wine sector to develop the business plan for the Package, which will be delivered over three years from 2018.

“This government is determined to support wine producers and the vital economic and social contribution they make to local communities,” Mr Pasin said.

The Government is also providing $10 million for a new Wine Tourism and Cellar Door grant program that will allow wine producers who have exceeded the new WET rebate cap to access up to an additional $100,000 per financial year on their eligible cellar door sales.

“That’s money that supports local communities, builds local industries, creates jobs and contributes to the ongoing growth of our rural exports,” Mr Pasin said.

For more information about the Package go to erwsp.wineaustralia.com

 

CONTACT: Charlotte Edmunds 8531 2466