Australian Commercial Wine Producers Ltd (ACWP) has written to the Federal Minister for Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Senator Hon. Murray Watt, seeking to be formally recognised as a declared representative body as provided for by the Wine Australia Act (2013).
ACWP Chair Bill Moularadellis said ACWP was established three years ago to represent the interests of Commercial Winemakers.
“Our members account for over 60% of Australian wine production and contribute a similar proportion of the mandatory levies. We seek equitable status with Australian Grape and Wine (AGW), whose members contribute less than 25% of the industry’s total production and levy revenue,” Moularadellis said.
“AGW no longer has the industry mandate to continue to exclusively represent the interests of all Australian producers, and it certainly does not have the moral authority to convene the R&D and Marketing Advisory Committees, which advise Wine Australia’s strategic priorities.
“It is fair and just that members of ACWP have at least an equal formal voice in setting the directions and priorities of the industry, especially at this time when the industry is facing its worst crisis in more than a generation.”
Moularadellis continued, “Discussions to more equitably represent commercial producers within AGW have proven to be disappointing over a long period”. He added, “It would be very difficult for the Minister not to accept ACWP’s moral case for equitable representation based on the information we have presented.”
