Wine industry pushes for merger legislation

The wine industry has put forward a proposal to create a single statutory authority to support winemakers and wine grape growers.

The proposed Bill, which has been introduced into parliament, seeks to establish the new Australian Grape and Wine Authority through the merger of the existing Wine Australia Corporation and Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation.

The merger was proposed last year by the industry’s representative bodies, the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) and Wine Grape Growers Australia (WGGA).

“We are pleased with the support we received from the government and the Opposition when we raised the idea and even more so to see the matter brought before the parliament so quickly,” said WGGA Chair Vic Patrick.

WFA President Tony D’Aloisio, AM, said the merger had been strongly backed by industry during a consultation period.

“We were aware that merging two successful statutory authorities was a big step, but the clear message from both WFA and WGGA members was that a single organisation would be in a better position to effectively and efficiently meet their needs,” D’Aloisio said.

“It will have a better capability to identify and deliver aligned industry strategic imperatives and R&D goals, and deliver industry programs.”

Industry hopes the Bill will pass through parliament in time for the merged entity to take effect from mid-2014.