By Parker McKenzie
Casey MP Aaron Violi said measures by the federal government to combat the rising cost of living “doesn’t address the immediate concerns that I’m hearing from residents.”
“The reality is that residents of Casey need help now and petrol prices are about to go up again,” he said.
“We’re about to say prices continue to increase and there are no answers from this government on how they’re going to help the residents of Casey with the challenges they’re facing right now.”
A program introduced by the previous Coalition government and used by 12 wine businesses in the Yarra Valley, where businesses could be reimbursed up to $100,000 through 29 per cent rebate of the notional wholesale selling price on their domestic cellar door sales, looks set to continue.
Mr Violi said while there is more detail to still be released, it was a positive the federal grants for cellar doors program is set to continue.
“I had businesses and wineries within Casey reach out to me very concerned that it was going to be discontinued and it wasn’t available on the website,” he said.
“It will continue because we know that it delivers economic benefits to not just those direct businesses, but the wider tourism and agriculture and economy in Casey as well.”
