Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer
Riverland wineries to expand export opportunities would be an aim if the Liberal Party was successful at the next Federal Election, according to senior local politicians.
Barker MP Tony Pasin last week toured Angove Family Winemakers, in Renmark, with federal opposition spokesperson for trade and tourism, Kevin Hogan, and Riverland-based MLC, and opposition spokesperson for regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti.
Mr Pasin said discussing what could be done at a federal level to support wine producers was a focus of Mr Hogan’s visit.
“The point of the trip was to get feedback from locals, including a roundtable on the state of the wine industry, about what an incoming Federal Liberal Government could do to assist the situation,” Mr Pasin said.
“There was a lot of talk about how the government might support expansion of the Export Market Development Grants, including larger wineries we find in the Riverland.
“This wouldn’t be a solution for the current situation the wine industry finds itself in, but whatever we can do to help will be acknowledged and appreciated.”
Mr Pasin said further resources should be directed toward wine industry support.
“The more Federal Members of Parliament understand the depth and breadth of the crisis in the wine industry, the better we’ll be,” he said.
(There’s) a view the problem has been solved by re-engagement with China, and I think that’s a perpetration of a cruel hoax on Riverland grape growers, who need to know the crisis won’t be solved simply through our re-entry to China.
“Were there to be a change in government, there would be a change of attitudes to the need to be present and listening in the community.
“It’s only when you’re in the community and you’re listening you get a full appreciation of how serious this problem is.”
Dr Centofanti said ongoing consultation with grape growers and winemakers was a priority.
“It’s clear that Mr Hogan understands the challenges facing the wine industry here in the Riverland and he has a clear vision and focus on how the Coalition will assist the sector through trade opportunities if successful at the next Federal Election,” Dr Centofanti said.
“Importantly, we learned from industry leaders and producers who were loud and clear. They are calling for an expansion of the eligibility criteria for Export Market Development Grants through Austrade.
“People working in the wine sector know what the sector needs. They have spent their careers developing contacts and networks on the ground and can find opportunities and tailor solutions better than any government.
“Let’s work to get civil servants out of the way of industry and let those in the know lead the rebuild of our wine sector.”
Mr Pasin and Mr Hogan also visited the Nippy’s factory in Waikerie during their tour.
Mr Hogan said long-term measures to ensure the wine industry’s stability were still required.
“There’s a huge amount of pain out there, and this industry’s issues haven’t been solved by getting wine back into China,” Mr Hogan said.
“The issues are going to be around for up to five years. I don’t think the government has an awareness of how acute that is.
“The government has to be made aware that this issue is there and will be here for a while.
“We’ve asked what some of the changes are that will help”¦ something’s got to happen because there’s real pain and anguish out there.”
Mr Pasin said ensuring large-scale wine producers remained viable would benefit the wider industry.
“There’s a need to support growers”¦ but there is also a need to support processors,” Mr Pasin said.
“If we can improve arrangements for processors and exporters”¦ that of course is a good thing, not just for the wineries, but for the hundreds of grape growing families that supply fruit.”
This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 7 August 2024.
