Senate debates Questions without Notice
Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
2:34 pm
My question is to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell. The Australian government's ongoing, fully budgeted, $10 million per annum Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant program provides a rebate of up to $100,000 for eligible Australian wine or cider producers to invest in their businesses to attract visitors to wine regions, helping grow Australian tourism businesses and local tourism jobs. Will the Albanese Labor government commit to providing the budgeted $10 million for the 2022 round of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant program?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Again, I understand, and I'll stand to be corrected—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
It's a point of order about the portfolio. I think the question should probably have been addressed to Minister Watt in terms of where the program lies. I'll see if Senator Farrell can assist in any way.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
Senator Wong, as the leader, has advised the chamber that the ministry is incorrect, but she has invited Senator Farrell to offer an answer to your questions if he can.
On what basis have you just jumped up, Senator McGrath? Resume your seat. You either call a point of order or ask a question. I'm going to Senator Farrell now.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
2:36 pm
Thank you, Senator McGrath, for your question. As the Leader of the Government in the Senate indicated, this is an area of Senator Watt's direct portfolio responsibility. But, knowing something about the wine industry, as I do—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Hon. Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I might also say that I mentioned last night the importance of civility in this place. If all these people choose to turn up and exercise their democratic right—I'd like to be civil to the people on the other side but I'd also like to be civil for them. We recognise the importance of the grape and wine sector to the economic prosperity of regional Australia. I can say from experience that Australian wine is the best in the world.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
A point of order: if the minister is unable to answer the question, I would suggest that he takes it on notice. The question is actually in relation to a grant program for cellar door tourism, and he has not had any—
Honourable senators interjecting—
We offered for Senator Watt to take the question. He could address the question.
Sue Lines President
Senator McGrath has asked a question. The leader of the government has indicated to the chamber that it was not to the correct minister. I'll invite Senator Farrell to continue to answer the question. It was directed to Senator Farrell. He has willingly stood up to answer the question. Senator Farrell, please continue.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I'm surprised that Senator Ruston, being a South Australian, wants to interfere with my answering of this question, because there's probably no state that's got a greater interest in the wine industry than the state of South Australia. These are issues that are under consideration in the course of the budget. As you'd expect, all of these things are under consideration over the course of the budget. We'll be reporting back— (Time expired)
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
2:39 pm
Fulsome as always! The Cellar Door Grants program normally opens to applications on 1 July and closes on 30 September each year. Given industry has already waited three months for the grant round to open, and the usual closing date is just two days away, when will the Albanese Labor government give small Australian wine businesses certainty about the future of this program?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
2:40 pm
Thank you, Senator McGrath, for that supplementary question. I think the finance minister indicated there are a whole range of areas where, in the lead-up to the budget, there are issues under consideration. Coming from South Australia, I understand just how important the wine industry is to this country. We've seen the neglect of our trading relationship under the former government, in respect of China—the way in which you sat on your hands while we lost all that trade! You're suddenly interested in helping the wine industry in this country? What about the last two years when you sat on your hands? You had a chance to repair the damage to China, and you did nothing! (Time expired)
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
2:41 pm
nator McGRATH () (): The Australian wine industry is facing numerous global challenges. These challenges are being compounded by the governance delays and uncertainty about the future of this program. Why has the government created this funding uncertainty for Australian wine tourism businesses who have invested in their businesses and the Australian economy last year based on the availability of the rebate?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
2:42 pm
I thank Senator McGrath for his question. He obviously didn't listen to my last answer. Had he done so, he would have understood that the problems of the wine industry, the problems that you're talking about that face the wine industry right at this very moment, are directly related to the neglect and the failure of the former government—
Sue Lines President
Resume your seat, Minister. Senator McGrath, when you stand, wait for the call. Do not just announce a point of order.
Opposition senators interjecting—
Senator McGrath stood up and said 'point of order' before he was called. Senator McGrath?
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
Point of order: the question was quite specific. It related to domestic wine tourism in relation to a grants program. The minister is nowhere near within order. He has wandered off into the sunset talking about other things.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
Thank you.
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
Have you forgotten what you were saying?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
No, I haven't forgotten; I know exactly what I'm going to say. Coming from Queensland, I appreciate you don't know as much about the wine industry as—
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
I apologise for misusing points of order. I have a point of order.
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
The minister has unfairly impugned my reputation by saying I know nothing about the great wine industry of—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
Thank you for that point of order. I'm not in any way impugning the Queensland wine industry; I'm impugning Senator McGrath! I find it difficult—
The:
Senator Farrell, please withdraw that comment.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I will of course withdraw that.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I'm not sure how it is possible—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
to— (Time expired)