Proposed DELWP and Wine Industry Planned Burns Communications and Engagement Agreement
June 2017
Wine Victoria is committed to ensuring Victoria's wine region communities within are kept safe from bushfires. The agreement sets out Wine Victoria's position on how to best maintain two-way communication between Wine Victoria, its regions and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) regarding future fire planning and how to balance protection of Victoria's regional wine communities, infrastructure and vulnerable ecosystems from bushfires. The agreement serves as an important communciations tool between all consituents in minimising the impacts of planned burns in the lead-up to vintage season.
Proposed Exposure Draft Legislation to amend A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999 reforms
April 2017
Wine Victoria welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Federal Government's exposure draft legislation and associated explanatory material that would amend A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999 to give effect to reforms to the wine equalisation tax (WET) rebate announced in December 2016.
It is the position of Wine Victoria that the proposed tightening of the eligibility criteria together with the introduction of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant (to be introduced simultaneously with the WET rebate cap reduction) should result in a positive development for the industry.
As such, Wine Victoria has welcomed the opportunity to comment on the Australian Government's proposed exposure draft legislation to amend A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999 reforms.
Proposed Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant
April 2017
Wine Victoria welcomes the opportunity to comment on the government’s proposed approach for implementing the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant programme.
Accordingly, it is the position of Wine Victoria that the proposed Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant, to be introduced simultaneously with the WET rebate cap reduction, will provide a competitive environment that will enable the Victoria wine industry’s long-term sustainability.
Submission to the Australian Government on the proposed Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant.
Wine Victoria 2017-18 Budget Sumission
February 2017
Wine Victoria's Budget Submission 2017-18 has been put forward to the Victoria Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) to consider in developing the 2017-18 State Budget.
Wine Victoria's submission has called for the following recommendations to be considered in the Victorian Government Budget process:
- Trade and Export - commitment to a four-year rolling program of industry led export-related trade activties;
- Tourism - commitment to four-year tourism grant funding to facilitate wine tourism infrastructure, events and products in regional wine events, wine tourism infrastructure and wine tourism product development and marketing activities
- Environment - continuation of funding for the Environmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between industry and government to deliver equivalent research and adaptation programs in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation;
- VLS - retention of the current level of government investment in the VLS but reform of the administration of program.
Submission to the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance to State Budget 2017-18
Proposed reforms to the Victorian Liquor Subsidy (VLS)
December 2016
Wine Victoria’s submission encompasses an industry-wide evaluation of the VLS, and makes the following recommendations in relation to reforming the VLS:
- The current level of government investment available for the VLS should remain
- Recipients will be required to use the VLS to address tourism gaps:
- Improve the Asian visitor offering at the cellar door
- Develop, maintain and improve cellar door tourism infrastructure
- Host regional wine events
- Discount of wines at the cellar door (aligned with the current framework).
Submission regarding proposed reforms to the VLS
Inquiry into the proposed lease of the Port of Melbourne
September 2015
It is vital that the proposed arrangements for the proposed lease of the Port of Melbourne do not negatively impact the export activities of our food and fibre industries.
Submission to the Inquiry into the proposed lease of the Port of Melbourne
Victoria's Future Industries - Food and Fibre Sector Discussion Paper
September 2015
It is clear that the Victorian wine industry is a significant contributor to Victoria's food and fibre sector. However, further opportunity remains to optimise the role of the wine industry and support the sector's contribution to the Victorian economy.
Wine Victoria recommends a long-term partnership approach to industry funding and program delivery in regional Victoria, both within the wine industry and between industry and the Victorian Government.
Submission to Food and Fibre Sector discussion paper
Wine Equalisation Tax Rebate
September 2015
Wine Victoria has expressed support for the reform measures contained within the Winemakers' Federation of Australia (WFA) submission to the Wine Equalisation Tax Rebate (WET Rebate).
Wine Victoria endorsement of WFA WET Rebate submission
Wine Ministerial Advisory Council Terms of Reference
June 2015
Wine Victoria, the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), and the Australian Grape and Wine Authority (trading as Wine Australia) provided a joint industry submission to the Wine Industry Ministerial Advisory Council (Wine Industry MAC) terms of reference.
The wine industry peak body welcomes establishment of the Wine Industry MAC. This advisory council is a key opportunity to provide advice to the Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development on policy creation and implementation as the business of the Victorian Government impacts the wine industry.
Submission to the Wine Industry MAC terms of reference
Wholesale liquor sales data collection
May 2015
In December 2014 the Victorian Government, via the Department of Justice, consulted with Wine Victoria regarding changes to the Liquor Act that would require all licensees who sell alcohol by wholesale (i.e. to other licensees) to provide annual data about their volume and value of sales.
Wine Victoria recommended that the Minister exempts all producers from complying with reporting requirements under the new Liquor Act, when they:
- Crush 2000 tonnes or less; or
- Produce 130,000 cases or less.
Submission to wholesale liquor sales data collection
Regional Economic Development Strategy and Service Delivery Model
April 2015
The Victorian wine industry is a significant contributor to the economic growth and development of regional Victoria. However, further opportunity remains to optimise the current contribution and promote longer-term prosperity in regional Victoria.
Wine Victoria recommends a long-term partnership approach to industry funding and program delivery in regional Victoria, both within the wine industry and between industry and the Victorian Government.
Regional Economic Development Strategy and Service Delivery Model
Review of performance targets for bushfire fuel management on public land
March 2015
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has introduced a new approach to bushfire management planning. This Strategic Bushfire Management Planning approach is in line with recommendations of the Royal Commission and has been made possible by significant advances in scientific modelling. Wine Victoria supports an approach to planned burns that is underpinned by science, and recognises that research initiatives such as the Centre for Smoke Taint Research (CESTR) are vital to maintaining this approach.
Planned burns submission to Inspector-General of Emergency Management (IGEM)
Post-submission documents:
- Government media release: Communities to have a say in bushfire fuel management
- Wine Victoria media release: Victorian Government to consult stakeholders on recommended risk-based approach to bushfire fuel management
- Inspector General of Emergency Management (IGEM) Report: Review of performance targets for bushfire fuel management on public land
Profitability Submission to the Winemakers' Federation of Australia
October 2013
Wine Victoria welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Winemakers' Federation of Australia (WFA) Proposed Industry Actions for Sustained Profitability paper. Wine Victoria supports efforts to provide direction to wine businesses and to help policy makers when dealing with the wine industry. This paper responds to the WFA Proposed Industry Actions in relation to: the Wine Equalisation Tax Rebate (WET Rebate); wine and health; international trade; domestic market development; and regional development.
Profitability Submission to the WFA