Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today in this House to speak about Tasmania's wine industry. Recently a leading international wine magazine said Tasmania is second only to China as the best place in the world to invest in the industry. TheDrinks Business says the island state's cool climate, affordable land, abundant water and lack of pests and diseases all mean its $75 million wine industry is likely to expand. I use this opportunity to encourage investment in our wine industry. While the magazine's 'Top 10 vineyard investments' article focused on the non-traditional wine-making regions, it still rates Tasmania ahead of France's Languedoc region and the Italian island of Sardinia. This is a fantastic achievement.

Tasmania's wine industry currently employs around 1,000 people, but larger investment was signalled when Brown Brothers spent more than $32 million on several vineyards in 2010, which is indeed positive for our region. Money from the state's forestry peace deal was also recently allocated for more detailed industry studies into soil types and microclimates. We have some great vineyards in Tasmania, particularly in and around my electorate of Bass, including Velo Wines, Josef Chromy Wines, Strathlynn, Three Wishes Vineyard, Delamere Vineyards, Bay of Fires Wines and Leaning Church Vineyard. These vineyards, together with our fantastic tourist spots, are a great place to visit. I encourage these industries and I am most proud that our region has been recognised internationally. (Time expired)

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