PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Ms SWANSON (Paterson) (12:46): The Hunter Valley is one of Australia's great wine regions. For many people in my community, wine is more than an industry; it is a way of life. For generations, families have built vineyards, wineries and businesses that have helped shape the identity of our region.

The Hunter's wine industry is not just about what ends up in a bottle or a glass; it is about the growers who lovingly tend their vines, the winemakers who turn the grapes into world-class products, the cellar door staff who welcome visitors and sell that wine, and the countless local businesses that rely on a thriving sector. As co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Viticulture, I have had the opportunity to meet with grapegrowers and winemakers from across the country.

While every wine region is unique, the message I am hearing is remarkably consistent: this is an industry under pressure. I acknowledge Lee McLean and Australian Grape and Wine, who do a terrific job as one of the peak bodies advocating for grape and wine across Australia. The Albanese government recognises the importance of the grape and wine sector, and we have been demonstrating support since coming to office.

We've delivered more than $90 million in targeted support for the industry. Last year we extended the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant program with a $30 million commitment over three years. That support is helping regional businesses attract more visitors, strengthen tourism offerings and create local jobs.

We recognise there is more to do. Importantly, we recognise that wine is not simply an agricultural product; it's a major driver of tourism and regional economic development, and, as my tourism providers tell me, it is an experience we want people to have—an authentic Australian experience that so many people who visit our nation are craving. Under the tax system, from 1 July this year the wine equalisation tax rebate cap will increase from $350,000 to $400,000.

That change will provide eligible producers with an additional $50,000 in support each year, helping businesses improve cash flow, make investments and adapt to changing market conditions. We've also supported export diversification through Austrade's $50 million Accessing New Markets initiative. And we have cobbled back some of the loss we had to China post-COVID, which was very important; I commend the trade minister for doing that.

Australian wine producers know better than anyone that the importance of building and maintaining export markets is crucial, and expanding opportunities in new markets helps strengthen resilience and reduce reliance on any single destination. Alongside these measures, the government has backed the development of the National Vineyard Register, supported the introduction of a mandatory code of conduct for wine grape purchasers, partnered with the South Australian government through the Wine Recovery program and invested in Wine Australia's long-term viability initiatives.

These are practical actions designed to support the industry's future. Getting back to my beautiful local community, I thank all those families who've spent decades—in fact, we are the oldest wine region in the country. I know that there are generations of families—I can think of them, from Petersons to Calais to Savannah; there are three generations of families right there—who are providing a fabulous product.

They are people who love wine, they love the people that want to enjoy their product, and I thank them everyday for that. I think of all of those businesses and people who rely on wine for their incomes and their livelihoods. I want them to hear that they have a government who gets it.

We do want to support you, and we do want you to continue to produce the great wines that you have. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Wilkie ): I thank the member for Paterson for her forbearance. The time allotted for this debate has expired.

The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.