The Minister responsible for the wine industry in Australia and the implementation of Wine Equalisation Tax measures from the Federal Budget, Senator Anne Ruston, spent a day in Hunter Valley Wine Country over the weekend meeting numerous wine, and wine tourism related businesses.

Chairman of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association (HVWTA) the Hon George Souris and board member Ian Napier arranged the visit, which fulfilled a commitment made by Minister Ruston during the recent Federal election campaign. 

Mr Souris said “that the Hunter was the NSW's leading tourism destination outside of Sydney and that the interdependence of wine tourism and the health of related businesses was the paramount consideration in seeking changes to the Federal Government's intended reduction in the Wine Equalisation Tax rebate that businesses can claim.

It was important the Minister saw for herself the hundreds of tourists in the area over the weekend, the busy cellar doors, the accommodation and golf venues and the many tourism activities available including our fine restaurants.

The whole area was, on a beautiful sunny spring day, simply brimming with tourists, weddings, holiday makers, weekender escapes etc."

Mr Nappier said “the HVWTA was in deep negotiations with the NSW and Federal Associations to ensure that genuine wineries, vineyards and cellar door businesses were not excluded from the Government's measures and that there was recognition of the job impacts in tourism related businesses in the Hunter that the changes would cause”.

Mr Souris and Mr Napier said “they were impressed with the Minister's understanding of the industry and her ready willingness to listen to our concerns”.

Before touring and meeting some 10 businesses in the Hunter, the Minister met with board members of the HVWTA (see picture).

Mr Napier said “the Minister made the point that it was important that we present our views etc from one representative organisation at the region, state and Australian level.  I felt she was going in to fight for us and wanted us to give her our best shot on a single Hunter regional view, facts and argument."

Mr Souris said “the Hunter Valley was thankful of the Minister's visit, driving herself to and from the Hunter, and for the engagement and understanding she portrayed”.