Pleased to be asked to launch this Wine Industry Study for 4 reasons:

• As Senator for South Australia, recognising importance of this industry to my home state
• As Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, recognising many lessons for other industries of the wine industry's experience
• Have known Ian Marsh for long time and am familiar of his work
• Member of and supporter of the work of the Australian Business Foundation whom I congratulate on commissioning this study
  

When I first moved to South Australia in '85, the wine industry was at such a low point that there was a Government funded vine pull program in place.
So the industry has come a long way in the last 15 years.
As the study explains, a remarkably successful industry with many lessons for other Australian industries.
These lessons are well-articulated in the study (and explained by Ian this morning).

Wine Industry demonstrates importance of:

• Innovation (application of strong science base)
• Export Orientation
• Industry Collaboration (relevant re debate over ACCC and mergers and acquisitions)
• CUSTOMER FOCUS
• Industry Leadership (value of strong personalities able to pull an industry together and provide focus and direction)
  e.g. Len Evans, Brian Croser)

Wine Industry great example to others in the way it took on the worlds best and is beating them at their own game.
Note in particular the study's references to implications for Government - especially the proposition that Government act as a catalyst to achieve a combination of collaboration and competition in particular industries.

Study refers to our Action Agenda program, although it is unnecessarily restrictive in its comments or virtues of that program.
Action Agendas are a process by which Government and Industry collaborate to develop a long term strategy and goals for an industry and the requirements to achieve the goals.
Our literature on Action Agendas in fact describes the Government's role as that of a catalyst to enable an industry to identify and achieve its objectives.
Action Agendas are a successful component of our Industry Policy.
I have asked my Office and Department to consider carefully this study's ideas for an enhanced Action Agenda process.

Conclusion:

Wine Industry is a wonderful example to every other Australian industry of what can be achieved by collaboration to reach clear objectives through:

• Innovation
• Export Orientation and
• Customer Focus
• With strong leadership within the Industry an essential ingredient

Congratulate all those involved in the study, which now formally launch.