(CessnockAdvertiser) - Hunter Valley wine industry representatives have joined forces with the NSW Opposition to call on the O’Farrell Government to reinstate the cellar door subsidy scheme. Opposition Leader John Robertson, Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment and Regional and Rural Affairs, Mick Veitch and Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr recently met with wine industry representatives in Pokolbin to launch the campaign.

Following the introduction of the GST in 2000, an agreement was struck between the States and the Commonwealth, with the Commonwealth collecting tax from the wine industry and then returning it to the States, who then pass it back to wineries via a rebate. Last year the NSW Government axed the rebate – costing wineries an estimated $3 million a year.

Mr. Robertson said the decision has cost local jobs and called for the Premier to reconsider. “Following major job losses at Kurri and in the mines, we can’t afford to lose more jobs in the Hunter as a result of a bad decision by the O’Farrell Government,” he said.