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Newsletter - 31 August 2020

Message from the Chief Executive
The Premier’s Industry Response and Recovery Council, which I sit on, continues to meet regularly. COVID-19 restrictions, such as recent tighter border controls, are having an impact on wine industry employment, particularly those wine businesses operating close to the Victorian border. In some cases, jobs could not be performed because the Cross Border Travel applications were declined. Fortunately, this has now changed so that applications are considered in the broadest sense for primary industry occupations. 

In addition, on 25 August the SA Government announced the reinstatement of a 40-kilometre ‘buffer zone’ for Victorians living near the border, home gathering caps have been lifted to 50 people, and travellers are allowed to transit into SA from Canberra and Sydney Airports.

Marshals have been introduced for licensed premises, due to concerns over compliance with COVID-19 requirements. The government chose this response so that South Australia could continue to operate at one person per two square metres, unlike the four square metres required in most other states. Refer to the article in the Industry & Government section for details.

The wine industry has successfully advocated with PIRSA on the development of a new Biosecurity Act. It will be up to the wine and viticulture industries to determine if the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Act should be included in the review. Refer to the article in the Industry & Government section for details.

China has initiated an anti-dumping investigation and a possible countervailing duties investigation into Australian wine exports to China. While we do not believe there is any case to answer, our wine industry is committed to full co-operation. China remains an important market for our wine, and many companies have invested significant time and energy to build strong and mutually beneficial relationships. A detailed Notice has been sent to all members.

SAWIA and industry partner Bentleys will build on past success through delivery of the 2020 Wine Industry Snapshot. Please participate when you receive your copy of the 2020 survey. Your response informs SAWIA’s advocacy efforts, helps stakeholders understand key issues and guides industry training and support programs.  

A reminder that SAWIA’s Annual General Meeting will be held on 24 September at the National Wine Centre. Our aim is to hold the meeting face to face, consistent with COVID-19 Directions. Notices have been sent to members including nomination forms for the 2020/21 Executive Committee. Please consider nominating. I look forward to seeing you at the AGM.


Brian Smedley
Chief Executive 
South Australian Wine Industry Association

Get your share of $1 million wine export grants

Updated JobKeeper rules now in effect
The employee test date was extended to 1 July 2020 under Jobkeeper amendments issued by the Federal Treasurer. Note that entitlements for existing eligible employees are not affected. Employees are not required to submit an additional nomination notice, nor does the business need to re-assess work patterns.
The amendments only relate to the JobKeeper scheme up until the end of September. We await information about amendments to extend the scheme. Read more

Register now for Finlaysons Wine (Off) Roadshow 28
There is no point in ‘sugar coating’ it – it has been a horrible year for the South Australian wine sector. We started with a devastating drought, were then hit by bushfires and smoke taint and then along came a Coronavirus and finally some serious geopolitical tensions affecting one of our major export markets. The industry is renowned for its resilience, but have we ever been tested like this?
Click here to attend Finlaysons’ Wine (Off) Roadshow 28 with a view to ‘fortifying your business’.

COVID Marshals for licensed venues
Venues that cater to patrons (including cellar doors, restaurants, cafés and other licensed premises) are now required to have a COVID Marshal on premises to ensure venue capacity, physical distancing and hygiene requirements are met.
The South Australian Government had expressed concern about signs of complacency in relation to COVID-19 and responded via this new requirement. Read more

Biosecurity Act – Phylloxera update
Following significant advocacy from SAWIA, Wine Grape Council of SA and Vinehealth Australia, the new Minister for Primary Industries, David Basham, has recognised that any decision to include the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Act (PGI Act) in the new Biosecurity Act must be at the discretion of the viticulture and wine industries.
The soon to be released public consultation directions paper for the new Biosecurity Act will not propose a repeal of the PGI Act.  
Read more

Do you want GM crops in your region?
If you want to stop Genetically Modified (GM) crops from being grown in your region, then act now to encourage your local council to seek an exemption from the Minister for Primary Industries & Regional Development. This follows the recent lifting of the moratorium on growing GM crops in South Australia, except on Kangaroo Island.
Councils must make submissions to the Minister by 30 September 2020. Read more

High Court – Personal leave appeal decision
The High Court has overturned an earlier decision of the full Federal Court that two 12-hour shift workers were entitled to 120 hours of paid personal/carer's leave.
This decision confirms the longstanding understanding that the National Employment Standards provides an entitlement for a maximum of 76 hours paid personal/carer's leave per year, which can be used for illness/injury or caring purposes. Read more 

New guide for storage of flammable liquids
Safe Work Australia has recently published a guide that describes the risks of flammable liquids in the workplace and explains, step by step, how to manage those risks.
This is important to the wine industry because a range of chemicals are commonly used. Some of them may be flammable, requiring specific controls to prevent the risk of ignition. Read more 

Be aware of risks of ammonium nitrate
The recent tragic explosion in Beirut serves as a reminder of the dangers involved with fertiliser-grade ammonium nitrate. Due to its nature, there are more stringent security requirements for the licensing, storage, handling and transport of security sensitive ammonium nitrate than for standard dangerous goods.
Are you complying? Read more 

Insurance ban impacts directors and officers
The New South Wales Parliament has recently banned a type of insurance that protects directors and officers from liability to pay fines for breaches of Work Health and Safety laws. This directly impacts wine industry businesses with operations in New South Wales.
While this insurance cover is still available for operations in South Australia, it is possible that other states may follow. Your business needs to be prepared. Read more

COVID-19 impact on wine markets
A COVID-19 Impacts Paper is now available to help the industry better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Australian and international wine supply, demand and consumption.
The paper brings together information from a range of Australian and International experts, members of Australian Grape & Wine and Wine Australia’s Boards and the latest market data. Read more

Wine export update
In 2019/20, the average value of Australian wine exports grew to $3.89 per litre (FOB), the highest level since 2004/05. However, the total value of exports decreased by 1% to $2.84 billion.
While the first two quarters of 2019/20 showed increases in exports, the value of exports declined 7% and 4% in the third and fourth quarters respectively as a result of measures to contain COVID-19. Read more

How tourists make destination choices
Professor Roberta Crouch from Flinders University is presenting a one-hour webinar How Tourists Make their Destination Choices on 8 September.
The webinar will provide an overview of what a cohort of 600 individuals from the US name as their priorities when considering an overseas holiday. The study also quantifies how Australia compares to other international destinations when it comes to food and wine, expectations of service provision and risk. Read more

Wine show invitation
Winestate is holding a number of tastings in September including Riesling, Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Semillon and new releases.
To enter or obtain more information click here.

River Murray water allocations reach 100%
The South Australian Government has announced that the 2020/21 allocation for Class 3 (high security) water is now 100%.
Any private carryover volumes will be available for eligible water users to use in 2021/22 as long as the minimum opening allocation announced in April 2021 is 50% or less. Read more

MDBA releases Annual Operating Outlook
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Annual Operating Outlook for 2020-21 is looking positive, with catchments primed after the wet autumn, more water in storage and a forecast for higher than average spring rainfall.
As of 22 July 2020, Southern Basin storages are at 51% compared to 40% at the same time last year. Read more 

South Australian Wine Industry Association Incorporated
1st Floor Industry Offices, National Wine Centre, Botanic Road, Adelaide SA 5000
T: + 61 8 8222 9277 | F: +61 8 8222 9276 | E: admin@winesa.asn.au  | W: www.winesa.asn.au

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