The association also joins the Wolf Blass Foundation, as well as a growing number of other leading winemakers and regional wine organisations in their campaign.
Together, these organisations and winemakers will also be arguing against the separate tax rebate scheme for NZ wine producers in Australia, as well as for the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) to be retained to support winemakers and their regional communities, but to abolish the separate NZ producer rebate. The organisations say that savings from abolishing the NZ rebate could free up funds to help promote Australian wine exports in international markets instead.
Specifically, WoWA’s support will be used to help fund WFA’s research into wine taxation, as well as an advocacy campaign ahead of the 2015 Federal Budget.
WoWA Chair Redmond Sweeny said: “It is important to note that this view is the result of an exhaustive consultation process WFA conducted throughout 2013-2014 with industry.
“WA is mostly populated with small winemakers, and we firmly believe our views were listened to and adopted into a balanced and sustainable position for all of industry to take forward.”
While WFA Chief Executive Paul Evans welcomed the support from the west.
“Support from WoWA shows the Australian Government that industry is united,” Mr. Evans said.
“WoWA’s support will go towards helping the federation convince the Australian Government that the WET rebate must be reformed and to build an even stronger evidence base against any moves to increase wine taxation.”
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