14 minute read
Columnists
A WORD OF THANKS TO THE AUSSIE SPIRIT PIONEERS
Stuart Gregor is the President of the Australian Distillers Association (ADA) and co-founder of Four Pillars Gin
Advertisement
The Australia Distillers Association, as with every organisation representing people of likeminded passion, owes much, indeed everything, to those who came before. While the Australian distilling scene in 2018/2019 is an exciting, evolving, dynamic and fast-growing industry, it was not always thus. Back when the ADA was created in 2004 with the three visionary founders, Patrick Maguire (Sullivan’s Cove), Cameron Syme (Limeburners) and of course the indefatigable Bill Lark (Lark), things were not quite as rosy. It was tough back then, the nascent industry was literally unheard-of – there were many more barriers and hurdles than opportunities, but the strong, the visionaries - survived and thrived. So before I start writing a bi-monthly column espousing our bright future and current challenges I want to say to those who came before us, thanks. Today’s distillers ride on the shoulders of your perseverance. Today we have more than 150 members of the ADA in each state and territory of this great land and distilling has become an industry many compare to the Australian wine industry in the late 70s or early 80s. We have still many mountains to climb but the future looks bright, very bright indeed. As I am lucky enough to travel to drinking dens near and far, people in every corner of the world are asking about Australian spirits – what makes them so special, so unique, so damn delicious? And I always respond that while we have many great natural advantages in this lucky country, our greatest advantage is our people. People who have vision, stick to their guns, are talented beyond belief, never take themselves too seriously and are never satisfied with anything short of the best. So to you, the distillers of Australia, we raise a glass and say thanks for everything and go well in the future. And see you soon for a drink.
INTRODUCING SPIRITS & COCKTAILS AUSTRALIA
Alec Wagstaff is Chief Executive Officer of Spirits & Cocktails Australia
The leading spirits companies in Australia recently agreed it was time to refresh the branding of their industry association to reflect the current state of consumer interest and to capture the exciting prospects for the industry. The Association dates back to 1934 when the Federated Wine and Spirit Merchants Association of Australia was formed which then evolved in 2001 to the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australian Inc. In 2018 we have rebranded the association Spirits & Cocktails Australia and our members collectively make up 75 per cent of spirits sold in Australia. The name change reflects the growing popularity of spirits and spirits as ingredients for great cocktails. The new name and branding reflects that. Spirits & Cocktails Australia is the first spirits industry association in the world to embrace cocktails in its name. People are recognising the complexity offered by blending great spirits with each other and other ingredients and enjoying their premium nature both at home and on premise. Spirits & Cocktails Australia is proud to call them out in its new name. Spirits & Cocktails Australia will promote and protect a spirits sector that supports a positive Australian drinking culture and employs thousands of people locally right across the country. Our highest priority issues remain the heavy tax burden carried by Australian spirits drinkers and the illogical licence restrictions some states impose on the on- premise sale of spirits. Australian spirits drinkers, who responsibly enjoy 20 per cent of the total alcohol consumed in Australia, pay 50 per cent of the total alcohol tax collected and face twice-yearly excise increases on their favourite spirits drink. Visit www.spiritsandcocktailsaustralia.com.au
Simon Strahan is the Chief Executive Officer of DrinkWise
Earlier this month, the Hon. Greg Hunt, Minister for Health, launched two educational advertisements as part of DrinkWise’s Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Program. The advertisements, featuring Deborah Mailman and Aaron Pedersen, will create awareness of the preventable disorder and reaffirm the risks of drinking alcohol while planning a pregnancy, during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Speaking about the program, Minister Hunt said, “This campaign is about giving unborn children nine clear months to grow, free of the risk of FASD. It’s hard to imagine a more important contribution. It’s a profound challenge and for me, it’s a big personal passion. We’ve contributed to an ongoing program, in conjunction with the industry leaders here today.” Support from the Federal Government and the industry has enabled DrinkWise to create an awareness program consisting of broad and targeted activities to assist in generating awareness about FASD to reduce and ultimately eliminate the disorder. The ‘It’s safest not to drink while pregnant’ message will be promoted in medical centre waiting rooms, print media, point-of-sale at retail outlets and licensed venues, in schools and in Jam Pakt, a new weekly indigenous radio program featuring information about the prevention of FASD. The support of the Federal Government and the industry assists us to communicate the importance of abstaining from alcohol while pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. In addition to the Federal Government, DrinkWise would like to thank the Winemakers Federation of Australia, Lion, Coca Cola Amatil, Cooper’s and CUB for their additional contributions to the DrinkWise FASD Awareness Program.
JANSZ TASMANIA COOL CLIMATE ART
Just in time for the festive season Jansz Tasmania celebrates the release of its world-renowned sparkling wine in a limited edition artisan gift box.
The collaboration between the Tasmanian sparkling producer and local artist and illustrator, Eloise Lark, is a pure expression of Tasmania’s landscape and heritage and one that brings joy and vibrancy to the Australian sparkling landscape.
The gift box is swathed in Eloise’s abstract work ‘Derwent Seasons’, which was inspired by her hometown of Hobart and its unpredictable weather, inescapable water views and the majestic presence of Mount Wellington. As an artist, Eloise eloquently captures the energy and elegance of Tasmania, and combined with her love for Jansz, this made for an authentic collaboration showcasing their beloved region.
This limited edition gift box is beautiful and sophisticated. It is an easy choice for those looking for a premium wine for a special occasion; perfect for the festive season and for those last minute gifts. The gift box elevates Jansz to another level, making it exceptional value for the consumer and a win for the retailer.
The Eloise Lark Jansz Tasmania Premium Cuvée and Premium Rosé gift boxes are available through independent retailers.
PREGNANCY WARNINGS A ‘NO-BRAINER’
Brett Heffernan is the CEO of the Brewers Association of Australia
After six years of voluntary pregnancy labelling and two government surveys to measure uptake, the best the alcohol industry could muster was 75 per cent compliance. So it was no surprise to anyone that the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation decided to mandate pregnancy warning labelling for all packaged alcohol products at its October meeting. Australia’s major brewers – Carlton & United Breweries, Lion Beer Australia and Coopers Brewery – have been 100 per cent compliant since 2014, voluntarily applying the warning pictogram across every product they produce. A voluntary system is an opportunity for industry to demonstrate that it is responsible and responsive. It also places you on notice, having been handed enough rope to hang yourself. Whether recalcitrant or ignorant, failure to place the warnings on labels is not only unacceptable and a blight on the industry’s social licence, but comes with ramifications. The noose of a mandatory regime is now tightening and as the floor falls away, the precedent of mandating regulation has all twisting in the wind. And, of course, the question of what’s next looms large with the inevitable next wave of regulation. Meanwhile, DrinkWise Australia research shows that 74 per cent of women aged 18-40 are aware of the warnings and 82 per cent of all women aged 18-40 comprehend the meaning of the current pictogram warnings. By mandating the existing warning label graphics, governments can ensure that those who have failed to comply to date are dragged into the fold, while recognising that those who have done the right thing should not be penalised by having to change all of their labels a second time. A new regime that varies from the existing labelling would, perversely, reward recalcitrance.
MAKING TOURISM GREAT AGAIN
Alexis Roitman is the Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Brewers Association
Independent Brewers are ‘Making Tourism Great Again’, working with our favourite craft beer bars and pubs to create festivals devoted to fantastic line ups of local beers. Thanks to Beer Cartel’s 2018 Survey, we know our growing fan base wants to try new styles, taste seasonal releases, maybe find a dark or sour beer for cellaring and are looking out for the hottest new brewer on the market. Almost half of the beers being bought are previously untried and there’s a real desire to support local Indie Brewers. From gritty urban laneways to picturesque regional high streets, Indie Beer has a compelling offer that is now being grasped by our friends in the tourism industry. Two thirds of IBA members have taprooms that offer locals and visitors alike the chance to taste the freshest, most exciting beers in the country. Head to the IBA website where you can search for our members by state, by tourism region, or by simply zooming in on the map. But taprooms are only half the story. Indie Brewers are working with their local venues and bottle shops to create festivals for every season. Victoria is a great example: at the epicentre is Melbourne’s Good Beer Week, which attracts 110,000 attendees from Australia and abroad, across 380 events over ten days each May. Regionally, Ballarat’s Beer Festival kicks off the beer year in January, followed by Geelong’s Great Australian Beer Festival in February. Moving into Autumn, head for High Country Hops, while Bendigo On The Hop is a fabulous mid-winter beer showcase. In November, the inaugural Peninsula VineHop Festival will celebrate that region’s fine tradition in both wine and beer. Contact your local brewers and be a part of this vibrant scene.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN CIDER?
Sam Reid is the President of Cider Australia and co-owner of Wille Smith’s
Well the summer seems to be taking a while to come this year and we in the cider community can’t wait for the days to get longer and hotter. The annual Cider Awards have just been and it was fantastic to see a record number of entries again and also to reflect on the seriously improved quality of the ciders entered this year – the future really is bright in the craft cider space. Speaking of Australian Craft Cider, on the day of the awards we had the industry launch of the 100 per cent Australian Grown ‘Trust Mark’. Whilst I had some trepidation on how it would be received, the overwhelming response was very positive with most producers asking when they will be able to put it on pack which was extremely pleasing to see. In case you haven’t seen it – it’s a hand with an apple and speaks oodles about what the Australian Craft Cider category is about, hand-picked, hand crafted, from the earth etc. The mark will be available to members of Cider Australia who can demonstrate that their ciders use 100 per cent Australian grown fruit and will be a fantastic way for drinkers to make an informed choice about the type of cider they wish to purchase. It should start to appear in market in late November or early December so keep an eye out. If it does what we are excepting it will play a large role in helping to premiumise the Cider Category.
WFA TO WORK WITH ACCC ON MARKET STUDY INTO THE WINE GRAPE INDUSTRY
Tony Battaglene is the Chief Executive Officer of Winemakers’ Federation of Australia
Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) looks forward to working with the ACCC on its new market study into the wine grape industry, as announced by ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh. In the latest of a number of studies, the ACCC will examine competition, contracting practices, transparency and risk allocation issues in the wine grape supply chain. It is a very competitive market place and it is important that we work across the whole supply chain to smooth relationships. There is already a very good voluntary code of conduct in place in the sector and we look forward to ways we can improve this that may arise from the study. Any work that helps strengthen relationships between growers and wine producers is a good thing. In July and August 2018 the ACCC invited wine grape growers across Australia to provide feedback about competition issues in their industry through an online survey. The ACCC is now seeking submissions from right across the Australian wine sector to help paint a comprehensive and balanced picture of the dynamics at play within the industry. It is important to provide the ACCC with an accurate picture of our industry as they undertake this study. WFA will work closely with the ACCC to provide this, but it is important that winemakers have their say. The ACCC is seeking this information through written and oral submissions in response to the issues raised in its issues paper. We are finally starting to experience renewed growth in the sector after several tough years and it is great to see grape prices improving and profits for growers and winemakers returning. I encourage winemakers to read the issues paper released by the ACCC today, and to make a submission to this market study.
ADDRESSING RESPONSIBLE DRINKING
Fergus Taylor is the Executive Director of Alcohol Beverages Australia
The recent introduction of a minimum unit price in the Northern Territory serves as a reminder for governments to consider the impact populationwide measures will have on responsible drinkers and their cost of living. A number of submissions to the Riley Review, including Alcohol Beverages Australia’s, presented evidence which showed previous modelling done on minimum floor prices was flawed. Further to this, a study released by the European Journal of Health Economics late last month also found price increases did not correlate with a reduction in consumption among heavy drinkers, who simply reduced the quality of the products they were drinking, not the amount. In fact, it found heavy drinkers were the most price elastic cohort. Moderate drinkers were deemed to be the most inelastic to price rises. This will only compound the backlash from the vast majority of Territorians who drink responsibly, but are now paying considerably more for alcohol. Those most affected are pensioners and low income households, some of whom are now paying double for certain bottles of wine. In the lead up to the policy’s implementation in the NT, it was claimed the tax would not impact all categories. However, upon implementation it emerged there were significant increases on certain products based on the $1.30 minimum unit price per standard drink. It is yet another example of how a broadbrushed policy, while perhaps wellintentioned, fails to address the root causes of problem drinking. The alcohol industry remains committed to reducing alcohol-related harms and will continue to make representations in consultation processes, which highlight the range of targeted levers available to governments to address these harms without impacting the whole community.
THE DAYS OF GOOD PHONE HAS GONE. IMPACTS ARE ENORMOUS IN THE WORKFORCE
Simone Allan is founder and director of Mondo recruitment agency
Two billion people on the planet use mobiles, according to James Katz, professor of communication at Rutgers University. Yet people have forgotten how to pick up the phone to nut out a business solution. Visiting client offices today feels like visiting a library… everyone sitting next to each other with headsets on and communicating with a keyboard. Candidates are no longer keen to meet face-to-face and request zoom or skype calls and detailed feedback via text or email messages. The first 3-4 queries through online help desks are all managed through AI and Robots. Resumes are now read through AI and you must make sure to maximise your first page to maximise ratings for a successful application. Where the landline took the place of written communication, the mobile and texting sees Aussie’s communicating, again, with the written word. A different “language” composed of acronyms is now known as text-speak. It is critical to communicate fast and with gusto. Avoidance behaviours and pervasive covert confrontational behaviours seem to reign. Doing email is a good scapegoat today, even at major buying and supplier negotiations. ‘Send me an email with your terms’ is the common rhetoric. Studies show that the mobile insulates Aussies more than ever before. For some, communication with those not present takes precedence over interacting with those in the same room. Never underestimate the power of good phone. It can cut through unread emotion and solve projects often on many levels that a one-dimensional email will neglect. Generation Y and Millennials should not forget the power of your own voice and the impact it can have in business.
