Aus winemakers see red over ‘absurd’ subsidy for NZ growers

Australia’s winemakers have given the Government legal advice on how to end what they describe as a “perverse” and “absurd” subsidy for the New Zealand’s industry. The wine equalisation tax (WET) was introduced to make up the difference when the GST replaced higher wholesale sales taxes. In a move initially designed to support smaller winemakers and grape growers, the Government allowed them to claim a rebate of up to $500,000.