Australia's two leading winemakers, Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) and Pernod Ricard Winemakers (PRW), today urged the Federal Government to significantly reform the current wine tax system to restore growth and secure a more sustainable future for the industry.

Key points contained in the companies' submissions to the Federal Government's tax reform discussion paper include:

  • That significant reform of the current WET rebate occurs, with outright removal the ultimate policy goal.
  • That the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) moves to a category-based volumetric wine tax system.
  • That wine remains outside the excise system, and is taxed at a category-based volumetric rate, distinct to beer and spirits.

"This is a better, simpler, fairer system of taxing wine which will support a more sustainable future for the Australian wine industry," Jean-Christophe Coutures, CEO and Chairman from Pernod Ricard Winemakers said.

"Our proposals are a genuine attempt to improve our industry's future and ensure Australian wine can compete and win both domestically and in key international markets," Angus McPherson, Managing Director for ANZ, Treasury Wine Estates said.

  • For more information, download the Media Release (PDF, 442 KB)
  • TWE's submission to Re:Think Discussion Paper (PDF, 1 MB)
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