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Australian Government’s Food and Beverages manufacturing roadmap offers significant opportunities for beer, wine and spirit producers
“Alcohol Beverages Australia welcomes today’s release of the Food & Beverage National Manufacturing road map. The proposed funding and strategies will serve as a much-needed relief to our brewers, distillers, and winemakers, especially those in regional Australia,” Andrew Wilsmore, Chief...
2.1 million more reasons why Australians should have no faith in drinking guidelines
Millions of responsible Australians who have made no changes to their drinking habits have now been categorised as risky drinkers, not because they’re consuming more, but by a process captured by leading anti-alcohol activists. Drinking Guidelines from the National Health and Medical Research...
Vision 2030: a recipe for Australian success
Increase exports by $5billion Compounding jobs growth Driving tourism traffic Environmental solutions Real red tape fixes Australia’s alcohol beverage industry has launched a 10-year growth plan with a range of strategies to drive jobs, exports, tourism, technology, better environmental outcomes...
Some perspective on alcohol sales
Australian Bureau of Statistics data on retail sales of alcohol products during 2020 are not the full story, says Alcohol Beverages Australia CEO Andrew Wilsmore. “We need to remember the hurt that’s been suffered by pubs, clubs and restaurants and cafes – where a quarter of total alcohol sales...
Australians should have no faith in the new drinking guidelines
Peak industry body Alcohol Beverages Australia has expressed its disappointment at the release of the final guidelines by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommending Australians consume no more than 10 drinks a week. ABA CEO Andrew Wilsmore said; “Australians should have...
What we are not being told about new drinking guidelines
Despite the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) creating headlines with a recommendation to consume no more than 10 drinks a week to reduce your risk of harm from alcohol, new analysis has revealed Australian drinkers could consume up to 28 drinks a week and still have no greater...
Respect the craft and help an industry recover this festive season
Australia’s leading winemakers, brewers, distillers and the people who sell and serve their drinks are urging Australians to experience the best they have to offer as part of the nation’s Christmas and New Year celebrations. Alcohol Beverages Australia CEO Andrew Wilsmore said: “With border...
More facts on drinking behaviour during COVID
University of NSW has belled the cat on claims Australians have been consuming alcohol to excess during the pandemic restrictions, by finding two thirds of people either decreased or made no change to their drinking habits. The research can calm the hysteria of those groups seeking to impose more...
ABA Welcomes VIC hospitality decision
Statement by Andrew Wilsmore, CEO, Alcohol Beverages Australia ___ “Finally, Australia is seeing some long-awaited reform in the hospitality sector, more than 20 years after COAG recommended States and Territories achieve a nationally recognised Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate....
ABA welcomes Tony Ritchie as Director – Media & Communications
Alcohol Beverages Australia (ABA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Tony Ritchie as Director – Media & Communications, effective today, 25 August 2020. Tony will lead ABA’s external and internal communications efforts, showcasing our industry as leaders in encouraging the...
“FARE’s Annual Alcohol Poll confirms the obvious”
The latest Annual Alcohol Poll Report from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) confirms what is common knowledge, that most Australians’ drinking occasions are at home and that Australians enjoy the convenience of home delivery. The real question is so what? There is nothing...
“Mandating colours on pregnancy warnings will unnecessarily cost jobs and livelihoods”
Australia's beer, wine and spirits producers are deeply disappointed that Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, NT, and the ACT pressed ahead with a prescribed colour scheme that will impose substantial unnecessary costs on producers, while reiterating our support for mandatory pregnancy warning...
Drinking in moderation is the new norm
16 July 2020 Findings from the most comprehensive, independent, and trusted set of data on Australia’s drinking practices have confirmed a continuation of longstanding positive trends in our community. “These significant results confirm that our drinking culture has permanently changed for...
“Pregnancy warnings supported, but mandating colours to cost consumers $400M”
Australia's beer, wine and spirits producers support mandating pregnancy warning labels. The now familiar pictogram of a pregnant woman holding a glass with a line through her silhouette is about to be mandated and updated with a new message that ‘alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby’....
“A number of studies now show Australians drinking less during covid-19”
In a report issued today by the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare that examines a number of studies and research into alcohol use during covid-19 isolation measures, the overwhelming picture is one of Australians drinking less during the coronavirus crisis. Mr Andrew Wilsmore, Chief...
Latest ABS data shows continued financial impact on the drinks and hospitality industry
The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)* reiterates the ongoing financial hardship that the drinks and hospitality industry are facing in the wake of COVID19. The data shows that compared to this time last year the industry has had significant revenue losses across the...
Letter to the Editor re: Minister met with alcohol lobby before pregnancy warning label sent back for review (The Age/SMH 19/6/20)
In response to an article published by SMH and The Age, Alcohol Beverages Australia received correspondence from members of the public expressing concern over our position on pregnancy warning labels. Despite being contacted by the journalist, unfortunately our comments were not included in the...
Alcohol Beverage Sector is ready to be part of the solution
STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO VICTORIAN HEALTH GROUPS “Alcohol Beverage Sector is ready to be part of the solution” DISAPPOINTINGLY, a collection of Victorian taxpayer funded Government agencies and activist groups have attempted to demonise Australia’s world class beer, wine and spirits...
“Restart the economy by restarting hospitality and tourism”
Behind developing a vaccine, Australians believe the restarting of the hospitality and tourism industry will provide the biggest boost to the economy, in new research released from the ANU today. Mr Andrew Wilsmore, Chief Executive Officer for Alcohol Beverages Australia said today “Australians...
“Pregnancy Warnings – Let’s get the balance right”
The well-intentioned motion by Senator Griff on pregnancy labelling fails to recognise that FRSC (Food Regulation Standing Committee) and FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) bureaucrats delivered a proposal that was not in keeping with the clear direction given to them by Governments. Mr...