Wine industry workers in the Light and Schubert electorates have received welcome news following announcements of China’s tariff removal and a $1.85 million Malinauskas Government China Re-Engagement Support Package.

State Member for Light and Labor Duty Member for Schubert, Tony Piccolo MP believes this is a positive step following the struggle many businesses and workers have faced for more than three years.

“The Barossa region is one of the world’s best wine regions and offers employment opportunities to locals across the region, but many grape growers and wine makers in the state have struggled with oversupply of stock due to these tariffs,” Mr Piccolo said.

“The removal of China’s duties on Australian bottled wine and the Malinauskas Government’s $1.85 million China Re-Engagement Support Package will help give South Australian wine exporters and grape growers the knowledge and resources to re-engage in and negotiate the China market in a more strategic manner.

“It’s not an instantaneous fix as wine producers will still have to get back into the market and rebuild connections with consumers, but China was once our state’s biggest wine export market and now there’s opportunity for that once again.”

Significant progress has been made at both state and federal levels to stabilise the relationship with China, with trade impediments already removed on a range of Australian products since May last year, including coal, cotton, timber, barley, and oaten hay.

“It’s unfortunate the way the previous Federal Liberal Government handled the relationship with China, but the Federal and State Labor Governments have worked hard to mend the relationship and rebuild trust between our two nations,” Mr Piccolo said.

“Foreign Affairs Minister the Hon Senator Penny Wong, Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell, and Premier Peter Malinauskas with the support of key local industry people have worked diligently to rebuild and stabilise our trade relationship with China”.

“In our region when the wine industry is doing well, the community benefits from the flow on effects.”

“This is welcome news for the Light and Schubert electorates.”