Thank you to Members who have engaged with their local MP. The most effective voice we have is when local distillers engage directly with your local representative. Many members have written to their MP or invited them to their distillery. This is the most important part of our campaign for fair and sustainable tax reform.

Hon. Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister (at time of his visit, he was Acting Prime Minister) visited Anther Distillery in Geelong with a group of Australian Distillers from Victoria.

The meeting provided a great opportunity for the industry to brief the Acting Prime Minister on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, within the physical context of a working distillery. 

On 15 November, the CEO met with Brian Mitchell MP & Senator Perin Davey, the co-convenors of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Spirits group to discuss options for Parliamentary Friends group functions when Parliament resumes in 2024.

On 21 November, Spirits & Cocktails Australia convened a group of members and representatives of Australian Distillers to participate in a policy briefing with the Minister on the industry’s trade and tourism potential. Participants included Will Edwards (Archie Rose), Satya Sharma (Lark), David Vitale (Starward), Cameron Mackenzie (Four Pillars) and Steven Magarry (Sydney Rum Company). The meeting was held at the Archie Rose manufacturing plant in Banksmeadow. 

Also on 21 November, the CEO attended an event for SA Labor, which was funded by SCA. The event was co-hosted with Distillers South Australia and attended by Nicole Lestal from SCA and distillers from Never Never, Imperial Measures, Seppetsfield Road and 5Nines Distilling. The guests of honour included the SA Treasurer and Attorney-General.