The Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin, today labelled Australia's wine industry as an outstanding success story and commended its development as a shining example for other industries.

Speaking while launching the study "Australia's Wine Industry: Collaboration and Learning as Causes of Competitive Success", commissioned by the Australian Business Foundation, Senator Minchin said the wine industry had gone from success to success.

"In July 1999 the value of Australian wine exports reached $1 billion for the first time and over the past 12 months, sales had further increased to $1.35 billion", Senator Minchin said.

"Wine has now become South Australia's biggest export item. The wine industry is not resting on its laurels and has set a target of $4.5 billion in annual sales by 2025."

The wine study's author, Professor Ian Marsh, largely attributed the growth and success of the wine industry to intra-industry
collaboration.

"Strong leadership within the industry has also been an essential ingredient", Senator Minchin said. The wine study also highlighted the role of Government as a catalyst to enable an industry to identify and achieve its objectives.

"The Federal Government recognises the importance of helping industry realise its potential and through Action Agendas, Government and industry are working together to develop long term strategies and goals for industries", Senator Minchin said.

"The Government is keen to achieve a combination of collaboration and competition in particular industries and I am interested in ideas for enhancing the Action Agenda process.

"The 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."