LANGHORNE Creek winemaker Greg Follett says it is "imperative" that the Wine Equalisation Tax rebate remains in place, adding that the system plays an important role in the survival of many small producers.
Greg is winemaker at Lake Breeze Wines, a boutique winery owned by the Follett family, and said a small minority of producers "using the loopholes and doing the wrong thing" were skewing the debate surrounding the rebate's effectiveness.
He said scrapping the rebate would spell the end for some boutique producers.
"If the rebate was abolished, we'd have to rethink our whole business structure here," he said. "I'd like to think we'd be strong enough to survive, but I know plenty who wouldn't. It would be the death knell for them, and I don't think that is what the government or anyone wants for regional Australia.
"If they can make the changes or tweaks that need to be made, then most people will be better off and happy to see the issue behind us, and we can get on with focusing on marketing Australian wine and getting it back to where it should be internationally."
Jacinta Rose
Stock Journal's online editor.
Stock Journal's online editor.
