Government stalls on wine in supermarkets bid
The State Government appears to have stalled in its controversial bid to allow supermarkets to sell wine, with a minister expressing doubts about the move.
There has been strong opposition from the wine and hospitality industry to the proposal which the Government flagged in December.
Consultation on the idea closed in March, and some of the interested players are anxious for a decision.
Australian Hotels Association president Ian Horne said he did not know what the Government would do with the legislation, and hoped “they have had a re-think”.
“We’ve heard nothing for a couple of months and we’d like a resolution,” Horne said.
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A spokesperson for Minister for Business Services and Consumers John Rau told InDaily yesterday that the Government was working through a number of issues raised during the consultation process.
It has also emerged that, in May, Tourism Minister Leon Bignell expressed doubts about the idea.
He told the Victor Harbor Times that he was an advocate for reducing the market dominance of Woolworths and Coles.
He said a move to allow wine to be sold on supermarket shelves would see these chains as “the biggest winners”.
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“On that basis the proposal is flawed,” Bignell said.
“Many of the independent publicans and McLaren Vale producers I have spoken with would like to see a wider review of liquor laws in South Australia.
“I support anything that helps small to medium size wineries in McLaren Vale and assists independent supermarkets and hotels.”
The move to sell wine in supermarkets was initially promoted as a way to help boutique wine makers and promote local producers by Foodland and the Independent Grocers Association.
“We have had discussion with the government off and on over many years with this and I guess the main reason is that we see an opportunity, before it’s too late, to support local wine producers and have an offer which goes with what we are already selling which is gourmet cheese and produce,” Foodland CEO Russell Markham said in December.
However, the Government is unable to legislate to ensure that only local wine is stocked on shelves.
Of the 59 submissions made to the Government, just 11 supported the proposed liquor licence change.
SA Liquor Store Association had expressed concern that the move would decimate independent liquor stores already fighting against Coles and Woolworths owned outlets.
