Aaron Violi (Casey, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025 is another treasury laws amendment bill, and we have Labor Party government 101—make sure that it has a very impressive-sounding name. That has to be the first thing you get right. If they don't get the name right, there's actually nothing they can talk about, because the detail within the bill never lines up with what it says. We've got a bill that is about supporting choice in superannuation—sounds impressive. Everyone loves choice, except a bill like this narrows choice, and it conveniently narrows choice to those super funds that are industry funds that, purely by coincidence, happen to be connected to the union movement. Then the union movement happens to be connected to the ALP and the government and pulls the strings. It's all just a coincidence that this money cycles around, and the super supports the unions, and the unions bring members in and support the government, and then the government coincidentally does legislation that supports just those industry super funds. What did they say? Oh my God, what a coincidence! Was it Deidre Chambers, potentially? Anyway, we know how that one plays out. We see it all the time.

It goes to the next level of a name, and they've just had to sneak in—because you have to be a level of honest in these things—other measures. They just added other measures—very benign, very plain other measures that could be anything. And that is exactly what this bill does. There are no links and connections at all between anything in this bill. There are six schedules. We have talk about super. We're looking at wineries, which I will talk about in a moment. As the member for Casey, I'm lucky to represent the best wine region in the country. Some, myself included, would argue that it is the best wine region in the world, but I don't want to be that bold, so I'll stay with the best wine region in Australia. I know the member for Fadden agrees with me, because there are no wineries on the Gold Coast, so I've got at least one supporter there. The member for Riverina might have a disagreement with me. We'll take that up out of the chamber, but he will be very happy that he got a mention in this speech.

But we go from wineries to then the Rugby World Cup tax exemptions. I'm not sure of the link from wineries to Rugby World Cup tax exemptions. We're then looking at deductible gift recipient listings—charities with very important work. I'm not sure of the connection to superannuation, the Rugby World Cup or wineries. Those are all completely different issues that could be and should be individual bills that are dealt with on their own merit. Each schedule stands alone as a bill that is worthy of debate and that should be discussed, voted on and passed as individual measures so we can represent our communities fairly and make sure that we support what we can and oppose what we must as well, because there are some really terrible elements to this bill. As I talked about, it's that circle of convenience in super at the start. But this is what Labor does. They like to put all these measures together to force us as the opposition to vote on a whole bill. You don't have a choice to separate it out.

I want to talk specifically about the wine equalisation tax and make it clear for the record and for my community that we do support the government's proposal to increase the WET producer rebate. However, we do not support the moves to limit comparison of super funds and reduce consumer choice—as I said, driving those funds to the ALP, to the union movement and back again. We don't have a choice on how we vote. We have to vote collectively on this bill, so we will be opposing the bill in its full measure. But I absolutely support that. As I said, as the member representing Australia's finest wine region, I'm proud to stand here in support of the increase of the wine equalisation tax producer rebate. It's such an important initiative, particularly for those smaller wineries and cellar doors that need that tax to survive.

From 1 July this year, the rebate cap will be increased from $350,000 to $400,000 per financial year. I'm going to shock the minister opposite and congratulate the Albanese government on that move. When the government has good policy—which is very rare—I will support it, and I'll put it on the record. Congratulations on increasing the wine equalisation tax from $350,000 to $400,000. The Yarra Valley is home to over 80 cellar doors, many of which are small to medium family owned enterprises. I know, from speaking with local viticulturists, that many of these businesses have been squeezed in recent years by the bracket creep and the pressure of rising production costs compounded with the lack of demand in wines. By raising the cap, these wineries will be supported and encouraged to continue scaling and succeeding, allowing them to retain an additional $50,000 in cash flow to reinvest in their wineries and, so importantly, in local jobs and the local community. We must recognise that every bottle of locally grown wine that is sold at a Yarra Valley cellar door supports a network of regional and rural local jobs, from the winery hands and the winemakers to the hospitality staff to the chefs and the local tour operators.

I was lucky enough to work in the hospitality industry in my community. Unfortunately, that was about 20 to 25 years ago, but so many young people get their first opportunities in hospitality because of our wineries. According to the 2025 report by Wine Australia, grape growing, winemaking and wine related tourism contribute $51.3 billion to the Australian economy and support more than 200,000 jobs each year. By strengthening the financial viability of these wineries through this rebate increase, we are securing the future of regional towns in my community and in many communities across the country. This measure will help play a role to ensure that the Yarra Valley remains a vibrant, competitive and world renowned destination for generations to come, and I'm proud to always support my communities and always support programs and incentives that will allow them to continue to grow and flourish within our community.

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