As allowed for in the new Constitution and voted for by members, the Australian Distillers Association now has new membership levels.

We invite all members to check their membership level in their record card – ‘profile’, by logging into the member management system via the website. If you feel your membership level should be changed, please contact Michael to advise. Automated renewals will be sent out, and will be amended where required if the membership level needs to be adjusted.

For further details and information on the membership levels, please review the ‘membership categories’ page on the website.

If you are new to the industry, and you are a distiller or intending to be a distiller and are in the process of establishing your business and have sold less than 1,000 bottles, you are eligible to join as an Establishing Member. The fee is only $250 per year and gives you access to all of the resources including safety, training discounts, compliance and members portal. This level of membership does not allow you to vote in any meetings as you are not a commercial distiller.

The three main FULL membership levels are

Small producer: any producer who is an existing voting member of the Association or is in production and the production that enters the home market is below the Alcohol Manufacturers Remission, which is $350,000 at time of establishment.

Medium Producer: any producer who produces volume to exceed the automatic remission at any time in the current financial year or is projected to exceed the automatic remission at any time in the year.

Large producer: any commercial producer that exceeds 50,000 LALs of production in any 12-month period.

We also have two categories of membership to support and engage our valuable industry and trade suppliers. They are:

Industry and Trade: this category of membership is for related supply chain who are in an aligned industry and share our philosophies and values. (Non-Voting)

Commercial Partners: Industry partners that have demonstrated a commitment to the industry that is recognised as a strategic relationship. (Non-Voting)

Congratulations to the new leadership team of the Australian Distillers Association. The executive have been elected until the first board meeting after the next Annual general Meeting.

Board Members

The Executive are supported by a new board. Board positions are representative from each of the six Divisions and they will hold office for a two year period, with half board elections held annually. As a transitional arrangement, half of the board will be elected only until the next AGM. The new board, in addition to the office holders above, are:

On Monday 27th May 2024 the Australian Distillers Association AGM was held. Prior to the meeting the new Australian Distillers Association Constitution had been widely canvassed with Members with recommendations.

The Board of the Australian Distillers Association recommends to Members to vote in Favour to the following resolutions that give the new Company effect.

Special Resolution 1 

“This duly constituted General meeting of the Australian Distillers’ Association Inc:

Further, we give notice of the following transitional arrangements.

The Board of the Australian Distillers Association recommends to Members that from today’s date, the following provisions come into effect.

Special Resolution 2

“In accordance with clause 22 of the Constitution:

1. There will be the following classes of Voting Members of the Company:

a. Small producer: any producer who is an existing voting member of the Association or is in production and the production that enters the home market is below the Alcohol Manufacturers Remission, which is $350,000 at time of establishment.

b. Medium Producer: any producer who produces volume to exceed the automatic remission at any time in the current financial year or is projected to exceed the automatic remission at any time in the year.

c. Large producer: any commercial producer that exceeds 50,000 LALs of production in any 12-month period

NB Once your sales result in you moving up to a higher membership class, you maintain that level of membership unless the Board approves otherwise.

2. There will be the following classes of Non Voting members

a. Establishing: this is for members who have begun the distilling journey, are in the process of establishing their business and have sold less than 1,000 bottles. You are required to advise the Company once more than 1,000 bottles have entered the home market. There is a maximum of two years you can be in this category of membership, at that time, you automatically become a small producer, subject to meeting eligibility requirements, even if you have not sold any product, or your membership lapses. You can reapply for membership.

b. Industry and Trade: this category of membership is for related supply chain who are in an aligned industry and share our philosophies and values.

c. Commercial Partners: Industry partners that have demonstrated a commitment to the industry that is recognised as a strategic relationship.

3. If you are eligible to be a Voting member, you are not entitled to be a Non voting Member.

In accordance with clause 16 of the Constitution:

4. At time of establishment the following fees are set as follows (plus GST)

a. Small Producer: $750

b. Medium Producer: $1,000

c. Large Producer: $2,000

d. Establishing: $250

e. Industry and Trade: $750

f. Commercial Partners: by negotiation

5. Transition arrangements allow for existing members to have the new rates at the time their membership renewal falls due. For new and lapsed Members, the new fee structure takes immediate effect.

6. In accordance with clause 82, the following people will be the first Directors and will hold office until the end of the next Annual General Meeting at the expiration of their term. These people are:

a. David Ridden, QLD, 2 year term

b. Eddie Brooks, NSW, 2 year term

c. George Georgiadis, SA, 2 year term

d. Holly Klintworth, VIC, 1 year term

e. Ian Schmidt, SA, 1 year term

f. James Young, WA, 1 year term

g. Kate Sinfield, WA, 2 year term

h. Kristy Lark, TAS, 1 year term

i. Matt Hobson, QLD, 1 year term

j. Sebastian Reaburn, VIC, 2 year term

k. Stephen Parry, TAS, 2 year term

l. Vanessa Wilton, NSW, 1 year term”

Voting resulted in a unanimous acceptance of all recommendations.

At the subsequent Board meeting it was agreed that ASIC will be duly informed and there will be a ballot for the vacancy for the Division of Tasmania.

In accordance with 77.4, the board elects the following Directors for a 2-year term:

David Vitale, Starward, VIC

David Withers, Archie Rose, NSW.

In accordance with clause 79, the Directors elected from among their number a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Each of them will hold office until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

The Chief Executive conducted the process of filling the Officers of the board.

The role of Secretary and treasurer was combined.

The following positions were declared elected:

President: Holly Klintworth

Vice President: David Vitale

Secretary/Treasurer: Matt Hobson

Australia will miss out on the economic opportunity presented by its promising spirits manufacturing sector without urgent intervention by the Federal Government, the Inquiry Into Food and Beverage Manufacturing heard today in Canberra.

Peak industry bodies Spirits & Cocktails Australia and the Australian Distillers Association today appeared before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources at Parliament House.

Australian Distillers Association chief executive Paul McLeay said the Australian distilling industry should be integral to the government’s Future Made in Australia policy.

“However, the Government’s outdated policy settings and inaction has placed Australian-made spirits at a significant competitive disadvantage in our home market and abroad,” he said.

“Just as previous governments recognised the potential of Australian wine, with the right policy settings and infrastructure, Australian spirits can realise a $1 billion export opportunity by 2035.

“If we do not act now, Australian distillers will be outpaced by other emerging spirits markets in meeting growing consumer demand for premium products – and Australia will miss out on the economic windfall that could be ours.”

Spirits & Cocktails Australia director Nicole Lestal said the Government must release the handbrake that is the current excise regime.

“While Australian spirits account for 20% of alcohol consumption, it accounts for 50% of alcohol taxes,” she told the Committee.

“This structural disadvantage impedes innovation and opportunities to re-invest in Australian spirits manufacturing.

“Our global spirits industry experience tells us that when governments act decisively and across multiple fronts to provide coordinated support, it incentivises investment to achieve scale and unlock further opportunities for economic value-add and innovation.”

Quotes from witnesses appearing for Spirits & Cocktails Australia:

“Suntory Oceania’s new $400 million carbon neutral facility in Ipswich, Queensland, provides the Committee with a real time example of the positive impact that direct foreign investment can have on the Australian food and beverage manufacturing sector. However, there is little or no incentive for global spirit companies to invest in the expansion of the Australian spirits industry while our excise rates are so overwhelmingly uncompetitive with other countries like Japan, the United States, Ireland, Scotland and Mexico.”
Mark Hill – treasurer, Spirits & Cocktails Australia and managing director, Suntory Global Spirits Oceania

“After the UK Government froze excise in 2015, Brown-Forman invested approximately $500 million in acquiring three Scotch whisky distilleries. Nine successive freezes in the U.K. have provided certainty to further invest in expanding these businesses, tripling exports and significantly enhancing their tourism offerings as a result, among other economic benefits. Unfortunately, the current conditions and the uncertainty borne of Australia’s excise regime – which is the third highest spirits tax in the world – are inhibitors for global companies like ours making such an investment in this market.”
Kylie McPherson – member, Spirits & Cocktails Australia and vice president, director of public affairs Brown-Forman Australia

“New world whisky is currently on the rise in many corners of the world. Australia has an opportunity to grow our category into something of global significance synonymous with quality and innovation, following in the footsteps of Japanese and Scotch whisky, while contributing substantially to domestic employment and economic growth.”
Satya Sharma – director, Spirits & Cocktails Australia and chief executive officer, Lark Distilling Co.

Quotes from witnesses appearing for Australian Distillers Association:

“We know that nothing tastes like Australia. Australian spirits celebrate flavour and unique native ingredients that are not found anywhere else in the world. This provides Australia with a point of difference from other spirits-producing nations. That’s why our industry needs coordinated, targeted support to both succeed at home and take distinctive Australian spirits to the world.”
Holly Klintworth – president, Australian Distillers Association and managing director, Bass & Flinders Distillery

“My experience of living in the US for the last five years has shown that it is extremely difficult to build an export market for Australian spirits without the coordinated support that only Government can provide. When Starward shows up at prestigious international trade shows like ProWine, I blow my entire export marketing budget on a trestle table that gets lost in the acres of exhibitors, while Australian winemakers have pride of place in an elaborate pavilion, proudly showcasing their provenance. It’s unfortunate that when we ask Austrade for the same opportunities, we are informed that their support does not extend to spirits. The consumer demand is there, we just need Government to recognise the potential of our industry.”
David Vitale – vice president, Australian Distillers Association and founder, Starward Australian Whisky

The Spirits & Cocktails Australia and Australian Distillers Association submissions are available to download on the Inquiry website.

In light of recent changes to Wage Summaries and General Awards effective 1 July 2024, we have updated our HR Advisor resources.

Please note, only some awards attract wage updates from 1 July, 2024, see below:

Effective – 1 July 2024:

The below remain unchanged, however have been included for convenience:

Additional information can be sourced from Fairwork, links provided below.

Fairwork – ‘2023 - 2024 Annual Wage Review

Fairwork – ‘2023 - 2024 Annual Wage Review - award minimum wage increase

All Fairwork Awards can be found here

Tax Relief

As you may already know, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will be implementing tax relief effective from 1st July 2024 for all Australians.

Due to this upcoming change, adjustments will be made to the net amounts transferred to each employee if they are currently set up for recurring transfers from the business bank account. For further details, please refer to the following link. On this link, please find the new net amounts payable to your employees from the first pay run in July.

Superannuation Guarantee rate increase

Additionally, as of July 1, 2024, the super guarantee will increase from the rate 11% to 11.5%. The super guarantee will continue to rise by 0.5% until it reaches 12% from FY26. Please refer to this link for additional reference.

If you have any questions or require further clarification, please feel free to contact us at the new Australian Distillers HR Advisory Service.

HR Advisory Service

On Friday, 5 July 2024 the Fair Work Commission handed down a decision (Decision) in an ongoing matter to address uncertainty in the General Retail Industry Award 2020(Retail Award). 

Clause 15.7 of the Retail Award 

Following consultation between unions and employer groups, minor amendments have been made to clause 15.7(c) of the Retail Award. Clause 15.7(c) previously read:  

Column 1 Type of employment    Column 2 When an employer must pay overtime    Full-time employee Overtime is payable for hours worked:  in excess of the ordinary hours of work; or  outside the span of ordinary hours (excluding shiftwork), subject to clause 15.2; or  outside the roster conditions prescribed in clause 15 - Ordinary hours of work and rostering arrangements.  Part-time employee  Overtime is payable for hours worked:  in excess of their guaranteed hours as agreed in clause 10.5 (a) or as varied under clause 10.6 or clause 10.11; or  outside the span of ordinary hours (excluding shiftwork), subject to clause 15.2. Casual employee  Overtime is payable for hours worked:  in excess of 38 ordinary hours per week or, if the casual employee works in accordance with a roster, in excess of 38 ordinary hours per week averaged over the course of the roster cycle; or  outside the span of ordinary hours (excluding shiftwork), subject to clause 15.2; or   in excess of 11 hours on one day of the week and in excess of 9 hours on any other day of the week.

The Decision took effect immediately from 5 July 2025 however, in accordance with section 165(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), the changes to the Retail Award do not take effect in relation to a particular employee until the start of the employee’s first full pay period that starts on or after 5 July 2024.

The employer may roster an employee to work ordinary hours on 6 days in one week if the employee is rostered to work ordinary hours on no more than 4 days in the following week.

Following the Decision and effective from 5 July 2024, clause 15.7(c) has been replaced with the following: 

The employer may roster an employee to work ordinary hours on 6 days in one week per two-week cycle, provided that in the other week in that cycle the employee is rostered to work ordinary hours on no more than 4 days. 

Clause 21.2 of the Retail Award 

As a result of the Decision, clauses 21.2(a), 21.2(b) and 21.2(c) of the Retail Award have been deleted the replaced with a table for ease of reading and usability. The new clause 21.2(a) reads as follows:

An employer must pay an employee overtime for hours worked in accordance with Table 10—Application of overtime:

Table 10 – Application of overtime:

In addition, table references and references to clauses 21.2(a) have been amended through the Retail Award where appropriate.

 

When do these takes take effect?

Whilst the Decision does not make significant changes to the substance of the Award conditions, the changes reflect the Fair Work Commission’s ongoing commitment to addressing usability of the Retail Award and removing uncertainty. However, should you have any questions about how the Decision may affect the rostering or payroll practices in your business, please use our HR Advisor Service.

Due to the popularity of the Mojito Mix at the annual Australian Distillers Conference 2024 Fever-Tree would like to extend a limited time offer, available exclusively to ADA members. Purchase one case of Fever-Tree Mojito Mix 8x500mL and get the second case half price.

Orders will be placed by Fever-Tree through Paramount or ALM. If interested in this offer, please contact us via email for the order to be processed. If you do not have a Paramount or ALM account and still wish to have this deal, please reach out and our sales team will endeavour find a way to accommodate.

Any queries relating to the deal, please contact Steve Carr – Trade Marketing Manger 

Deal valid for 6 weeks.

Australian spirits manufacturers are tonight questioning the Federal Government’s overly optimistic growth projections for the industry, which are in spite of the Budget’s failure to take action on spirits excise.

Today’s Budget shows that spirits excise is down $200 million on estimates published last year.

Forward estimates nevertheless predict growth of $180 million for 2024-25 and annual growth of $200 million for the three years thereafter.

Spirits & Cocktails Australia chief executive Greg Holland said these projections appear misguided while spirits excise remains unchecked.

“It’s difficult to understand how Treasury has arrived at these growth predictions for our industry while we are still completely hamstrung by the world’s third highest spirits tax,” he said.

“We are already paying $101.85 per litre, with six-monthly increases coming yet again in August and February.

“We wish we shared the Government’s optimism, but its growth forecast is simply not achievable under these conditions.”

Australian Distillers Association chief executive Paul McLeay said the inaction on spirits tax is particularly disappointing given the Government’s ambitions to grow domestic manufacturing.

“While we are hugely supportive of the Future Made In Australia policy, we hope the Government does not miss the opportunity to scale other manufacturing industries like spirits, in pursuit of its more costly objectives in solar, green steel and minerals processing,” he said.

“We have 700-plus distilleries in this country making products that simply cannot be replicated by manufacturers in other nations, because they are singular expressions of Australian ingredients, provenance and technical prowess".

“It won’t take billions of dollars of investment to kick-start our industry. We don’t need excessive subsidies, we just need modest adjustments to policy settings, starting with tax relief.

“We look forward to making this case for the Government in the food and beverage manufacturing inquiry over the coming months.”

Entries for Sydney Royal’s very first Distilled Spirits competition have opened today, with producers from across Australia being encouraged to enter the inaugural competition.

Run by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) and chaired by Australian drinks industry veteran, and Australian Distillers Past President, Stuart Gregor, the new Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show will offer producers a chance to benchmark their products under the expert taste buds of Gregor’s panel of judges and potentially be crowned an inaugural Champion.

“As the popularity of distilled spirits in Australia continues to grow, so does the importance of producers benchmarking products with others in the industry”, Gregor said.

“This competition will not only allow us to identify the best producers in the industry at this point in time, but also to share valuable feedback with exhibitors to assist in the continued improvement and refinement of their product, and hence, the industry as a whole”.

The Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits show will offer a fantastic range of classes for producers to enter, including Brandy, Cane Spirit, Gin, Liqueur, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey, Alternative Distilled Spirits, Non-Alcoholic and stand-alone Ready to Drink (RTD) classes, with fifteen Champion Trophies up for grabs including Champion Non-Alcoholic Spirit and Champion Ready to Drink.

“It is important to acknowledge the increasingly popular choice of Australians to consume spirits in the ready-to-drink format of pre-mixed bottles or cans, and the Sydney Royal will be amongst the first Shows in the world to taste and assess this burgeoning category of modern-style drinks, alongside more traditional, full-bodied spirits”, Gregor said.

As an organisation focused on championing Australian agriculture, the new competition will aim to highlight products made with at least 85 percent Australian-grown ingredients. This requirement is currently implemented across all Sydney Royal wine, beer & cider, dairy produce, and fine food competitions.

While it is the inaugural show for the RAS, the renowned agricultural company has judged spirits before, with historical records confirming South Australian gin and Queensland rum entered classes as far back as 1870 and 1877, respectively. The organisation went on to continue judging select spirits alongside wine classes at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, before wine became a stand-alone Sydney Royal event in 2000.

“While spirits have played a small part in the rich history of the RAS, the move to create a stand-alone spirits Show is a testament to the incredible growth within the industry, and I consider it an immense privilege to be called upon to lead the judging for the inaugural Show”, Gregor said.

Entries for the 2024 Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show will close on Wednesday 22 May with judging will take place in early September 2024.

ENTER HERE

Following the conclusion of the Sydney Royal wine, beer & cider and distilled spirits competitions, consumers will get a unique chance to sample some of the medal-winning products at the Grape, Grain & Graze Festival (GGG) which will take place on Saturday 21 September