Wineries, distilleries and breweries will share in a $20 million top-up as part of a coalition tourism pledge as the federal election campaign enters its final two weeks.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will on Saturday outline further support to bring more tourists to cellars hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plan would see $15 million for wineries, distilleries and breweries with $100,000 grants to build or upgrade on-site facilities such as restaurants and tour areas.
A further $5 million would go to tourism and local governments to help bring more visitors to the sites.
Mr Morrison, campaigning on Saturday in Perth, said tourism operators would be supported to bring more people in.
“Tourism is key to our plan, and this funding will help bring in more tourists to local businesses, meaning more people touring our breweries and wineries,” he said.
“There are huge opportunities for our wineries and distilleries to take advantage of the plane loads of tourists looking for a new experience as we emerge from COVID lockdowns.”
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese will begin the day in Sydney, where he will showcase Labor’s policies to drive down the cost of living through childcare and energy initiatives.
The opposition has sought to turn the campaign spotlight back towards the cost of living amid rising inflation levels, low wage growth and the first official interest rate rise for more than a decade.
It comes as Mr Albanese tried to downplay a fumble where he couldn’t remember his party’s NDIS plan when pressed by reporters.
He said the coalition was divided and led by a leader who many MPs did not want to campaign alongside with.
Mr Morrison refused to say whether he would step down as Liberal leader should there be a hung parliament or if the coalition loses the May 21 election.
The prime minister has repeatedly warned voters about so-called teal independents, with suggestions they could form the balance of power.
© AAP 2022
