Wine Export Bounty Act 1939

• A portion of the excise duty (a tax on production) paid on spirit used to fortify Australian wine
• A portion of the excise duty paid on concentrated grape must (grape juice concentrate used in winemaking)

If that account runs short, the government's general fund (the Consolidated Revenue Fund) can top it up — but only up to £50,000 per financial year. If there's a surplus left over after all claims are paid, it goes back to the general fund.

Key conditions exporters must meet:

• The fortified wine must be of sound, good quality — wine that could damage Australia's reputation abroad won't qualify
• Grape growers must have been paid at least the government-set minimum price, including a cash payment of £2 per tonne delivered promptly
• Distillers supplying the fortifying spirit must also have been paid at least the minimum price, with no secret discounts or rebates that reduce their actual payment below that floor
• Workers must have been paid proper wages in line with any relevant industrial award (a legally binding workplace agreement) — if they weren't, the bounty can be withheld
• Exporters must keep detailed records and make them available for inspection and audit
• Exporters must submit a certificate listing every supplier of grapes and fortifying spirit, what they bought, and what they paid

What can go wrong for a claimant?

The Minister has broad power to withhold all or part of the bounty if:

• The exporter previously received bounty they weren't entitled to
• They failed to properly pay grape growers or distillers after receiving bounty
• The winemaker received bounty they weren't entitled to under this Act or the old 1934 Act

Making a false statement to get bounty is a criminal offence, punishable by a £100 fine or up to 12 months in prison.

Transparency:

Each year, the government must prepare a return (a public report) listing every person paid bounty, the amounts paid, and the balance of the Wine Export Encouragement Account. This report must be tabled before both Houses of Parliament.

Why does it matter?

This Act is a snapshot of Depression and wartime-era agricultural policy. The government was trying to support the struggling Australian wine export industry, protect grape growers from being underpaid, and ensure Australian wine maintained a good reputation in overseas markets — all while carefully controlling the public money used to do it.