NSW Wine is ramping up its campaign to get the State Government to choose local wine over imports for events and official functions.
NSW Wine executive officer Matthew Jessop and Board member, Brokenwood CEO Geoff Krieger, have fronted an inquiry into the’procurement practices of NSW government agencies and its impact on the social development of the people of NSW’.
“Through its own procurement, whether that is at government-owned, operated or leased venues or at sponsored events, the NSW Government continues to buy more international and interstate wine than it does local wine,” NSW Wine says.
“Currently, NSW taxpayer-funded venues and money does more to support interstate and international wine producers than it does our own local businesses and regional communities.
“That is why in the lead-up to the 2023 NSW State Election, NSW Wine sought a commitment from all parties to establish a ‘NSW First’ wine procurement policy targeting 100 percent NSW wine in all NSW Government-owned, leased and tendered venues, plus events sponsored using NSW taxpayers money.”
NSW Wine president Mark Bourne said, “The industry believes this is an opportunity for the NSW Government to show leadership to the whole of NSW.
“Our state produces world-class wines that deserve to be showcased at every government-affiliated event and venue.
“By implementing a ‘Buy NSW’ policy we can boost our local economy, support regional communities and proudly present the best of NSW to visitors and residents alike.”
Since the last election NSW Wine has been advocating to all levels of government and calling on the Minns Labor Government to support a ‘NSW First’ procurement policy that would see all government-owned venues and events connected to the NSW Government prioritise its own businesses first.
“This government has so far failed to take any meaningful steps to establish a policy despite it having nil effects on the states budget and overwhelming positive effects for NSW businesses and the economy,” Bourne says.
“Across venues, events and where it provides sponsorship and support, the NSW Government has significant buying power.
“Not only could the NSW Government, directly and indirectly, become one of the NSW wine industry’s biggest customers, it could, and should, be our biggest supporter shining a light on our world-class producers and 16 unique wine regions.
“International or domestic visitors to Sydney should not sit at iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House drinking a glass of imported Italian Prosecco when they could be drinking award winning local sparkling from Orange, Tumbarumba or the Southern Highlands.”
Bourne says that a positive example of the impact of such a policy in practice is the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney.
“Over the past seven years through its 100 percent NSW wine list it has purchased over 400,000 bottles of local wine,” Bourne says.
“If the ICC Sydney can make it a cornerstone of its operations, NSW Wine asks why other NSW Government-owned and leased venues and sponsored events find it so hard?”
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