Page 854 - Week 03 - Thursday, 10 March 2005
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standards applied. These amendments set up a regime whereby the minister can prescribe standards. The amendments also give grounds for terminating appointments, such as serious criminal offences, bankruptcy or becoming mentally or physically incapable. In essence, it regularises the provisions governing JPs, although still at the behest of the minister.
The amendment to the Liquor Act might have the most immediate impact. It will make it easier for wine growers to sell their own unopened bottles of wine and make it easier for non-profit organisations to sell unopened wine as a fundraiser. This liberalisation of the Liquor Act will only apply to small-scale sales of unopened wine. As I indicated, I am supporting the bill, although I will be moving some amendments that we believe will make it fairer.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (11.19): The proposed extensions to the current liquor permits will be of great assistance in promoting local and interstate wine growers. The proposed changes will allow ACT wine growers to sell their wine at local tourism events, thereby promoting the ACT region’s fares, as many of us would be able to purchase a wine that we are usually able to buy only as a sample at such events.
There would be a great chance to promote the local wine industry by allowing visitors to have the opportunity to take local wines home with them and allowing others to sample these great wines. That would be of great assistance in the promotion of local wines interstate and internationally. Mr Stefaniak said small business is concerned about the additional competition. The same businesses were concerned about Dan Murphy entering the market.
This amendment will help to boost the ACT wine industry by allowing non-profit groups to apply for permits to sell wine as a part of fundraising opportunities. The wine growers must apply for permits to allow the sale of alcohol for take-away purposes at tourist events, and this will be monitored closely.
With Canberra’s birthday celebrations happening around town now and the previous multicultural festival, this proposed amendment would give people the chance to celebrate with family and friends over a great local wine and still be able to be involved in the celebrations. In Sunday’s Canberra Times there was an article promoting women. This was to coincide with International Women’s Day, which I have talked about previously. There was an interview with one of Canberra’s strong female businesswomen, Romilly Madew.
Romilly Madew, as her name suggests, is the owner, grower and maker at the Madew winery, Lake George. Madew Wines would be only one of the local wineries able to promote their wonderful products in places other than the vineyards. Jeir Creek is yet another example of a fine local wine grower which is already involved in promoting its local products at tourism events. With the proposed amendments, the Jeir Creek winery will be able to sell its wine at these events and allow us, as Canberrans, to taste these fabulous products.
The 2005 Lake Tuggeranong lunar festival being held as part of Canberra’s birthday celebrations is yet another example of a great day of family fun celebrating our diverse community. The lunar festival allows the community to join in the fun of music, dance,
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