Australian winegrape purchases code of conduct

REPORT - February 2025

Full Report (PDF)

List of recommendations

Recommendation 1

4.105The committee recommends that the Treasurer, in consultation with stakeholders and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), determines the most appropriate model for a mandatory code of conduct for Australian winegrape purchases (code of conduct) across all of Australia’s winegrape growing regions, with a specific focus on the most impacted inland regions of the Riverland, Riverina, and Murray Valley (including Sunraysia); to be implemented by the ACCC. The code of conduct should establish fair and equitable terms addressing the following:

payment terms to be limited to within the financial year of delivery at the latest;

quality requirements including minimum standards, measurement methods, and what actions will be taken if the requirements are not met;

earlier indicative pricing; and

binding dispute resolution.

Recommendation 2

4.107The committee recommends that Wine Australia continues to facilitate and enhance the collection and dissemination of wine and grape information and data that it publishes, for the benefit of wine and grape growing sectors.

Recommendation 3

4.109The committee recommends that the Australian Government investigates the feasibility of distilling excess wine into industrial alcohol, or otherwise disposing of a portion of Australia’s wine surplus.

Recommendation 4

4.111The committee recommends that the Australian Government, in consultation with Australian Grape and Wine Ltd, investigates potential support packages to aid growers in transitioning out of winegrapes and into other crops or land uses in the warm inland wine regions.

Recommendation 5

4.114The committee recommends that Australian Grape and Wine provides an updated Pre-Budget Submission reflecting the current status of the Australia wine industry.

4.115On the basis of that submission, the committee recommends that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry invests in Australia’s wine market through the establishment of new trading partners, expansion of existing markets, and promotion of wineries and cellar doors domestically.

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