Canberra Advocacy Update

We continue to build momentum for our sector in Canberra, with the inaugural Parliamentary Friends of Spirits event held on 7 September, followed by a series of meetings with Treasury, Ministers’ offices and Members of Parliament.

The Parliamentary Friends of Spirits is now formally recognised as a non-partisan parliamentary friendship group, providing a forum for parliamentarians to engage with the Australian spirits industry on matters including industry development, trade, exports and the broader interests of the sector.

The inaugural Parliamentary Friends of Spirits event was attended by approximately 140 Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff, with representation from across the political spectrum.

This event was an important first step in establishing a long-term relationship across the Parliament and ensuring decision-makers have a better understanding of our sector, the contribution we make to Australia and the challenges facing Australian distillers.

A particular highlight was the opening address from Assistant Treasurer Dr Daniel Mulino, who spoke about his understanding of and support for the Australian spirits sector.

Meetings with Government and Parliament

While in Canberra, we took the opportunity to meet with key Treasury staff, Ministers’ offices and Members of Parliament.

These meetings provided an opportunity to directly raise the issues affecting Australian distillers and, importantly, to identify areas where further engagement and advocacy can occur:

• Minister Don Farrell’s Office, including the Assistant Secretary & Director from DFAT
• Rob Mitchell MP, Member for McEwen and Chair of the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Inquiry
• Minister Ayres Office
• Ross Cadell MP, National Party Senator for NSW
• Mary Aldred MP, Liberal Party, Member for Monash & Chair of Illicit Alcohol Taskforce
• Tim Wilson MP, Shadow Treasurer
• Office of Senator Pauline Hanson, One Nation
• Assistant Treasurer Dr Daniel Mulino’s Office
   

What does this mean for members?

The Canberra meetings have reinforced an important point: our sector is firmly on the radar of Government and Parliament and all sides of the aisle know change is needed.

The issues facing Australian distillers are complex and span taxation, excise, illicit alcohol, regulation, licensing, trade, exports and manufacturing policy. No single meeting will resolve these issues, but the breadth of engagement achieved in Canberra gives the ADA an important platform from which to work between now and the next election.

This is particularly important given the industry's long-standing call for meaningful alcohol tax reform, a more practical regulatory framework and stronger Government support for the development of Australian spirits domestically and internationally.

Our focus now is on turning these conversations into continued engagement, practical policy options and tangible outcomes for members.

Thank you

Finally, a special thank you to the Parliamentary Friends of Spirits Co-Chairs, Tania Lawrence MP and Aaron Violi MP, for their support in establishing this important cross-party forum, and to the sponsors who helped make the inaugural event possible.

The conversations have started. Now the work continues.