The Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association (HVWTA) will hold a meeting regarding objections to the Wine Equalisation Tax on Wednesday, August 3.
Wine and wine tourism industry stakeholders are invited to attend the meeting at Pokolbin Hall from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
HVWTA chairman George Souris said the purpose of the meeting is to discuss key objections that the local industry has with tax rebate changes proposed in the federal budget.
“It is the opinion of industry that these changes could have a devastating impact on the wine and tourism industry in the Hunter Valley, including the loss of jobs,” Mr Souris said.
Two distinct issues will be discussed, including the tightening of eligibility criteria to businesses that own or lease a winery and reducing the tax rebate available from $500,000 to $290,000.
“Both these issues have a real risk of causing economic hardship for the local industry, as many wine producers are dependent on that rebate to survive and be in business,” Mr Souris said.
HVWTA is asking people to RSVP to the meeting, to confirm attendance, email melissa@hvwta.com.au.
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
