WA farm lobby groups slam budget

The head of Western Australia’s peak wine body says industry was not consulted before it had millions of dollars of subsidies slashed in the state budget. The State Government has committed to abolish a cellar door subsidy for wine producers from July 1 this year, which will save $11 million. The subsidy applies only to wine sold at the cellar door and is generally used by larger producers who exceed their $500,000 wine equilisation tax rebate claim.