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Local wineries will have to wait until 2012 before they see any benefits in the Brumby Labor Government’s latest back-flip to their ill conceived risk based liquor licence policy, Nationals Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh said today.
The Minister for Consumer Affairs announced a new Producer’s Licence this week which would replace the current vignerons’ licence and allow breweries and wineries to promote and sell produce at an unlimited number of markets, shows and festivals without obtaining additional temporary licences.
“Whilst this change is welcome it doesn’t make sense that the industry will have to continue to pay significant increases in liquor licences for another two years before the amendment kicks in,” Mr Walsh said.
“If the State Government was genuine about wanting to support the ongoing development of the local wine industry by reducing unnecessary licensing regulation, the changes should come into effect immediately.
“Having attacked our small wine producers for two years, Labor cynically thinks it can buy votes just weeks out from an election with a half-baked promise that won’t take effect for another two years.
“The so called risk based liquor licence fee reforms by the Brumby Government are fundamentally flawed and they have been forced to make significant changes since the introduction of the fee structure in early 2009 and they still can’t get it right.”
“There is still a need to address the issue that many country pubs and liquor outlets have been hit hard with significant increases in liquor licence fees due to the risk based fee structure.
“A Liberal Nationals Coalition government will review the risk based liquor licence fee structure to ensure that a more equitable system is implemented,” Mr Walsh said.