The beverage industry makes the cut – Non-alcoholic drinks industry welcomes Modern Manufacturing Strategy

For immediate release 1 October 2020

The Australian Beverages Council welcomes today’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy announcement by the Morrison Government and supports the development of industry-led recovery roadmaps for the next two, five and ten years.

“As the peak body representing ninety per cent of the Australian non-alcoholic beverages industry by volume, the Australian Beverages Council is reassured to see the Government’s continued support for Australian manufacturing and that the beverage (and food) sector has been chosen as one of six National Manufacturing Priorities” said Mr Geoff Parker, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Beverages Council. “The non-alcoholic drinks industry is heavily reliant on the domestic market with the majority of beverages manufactured locally being consumed in Australia. It’s also an industry that provides an important economic contribution to the country through the 46,000 jobs it provides, the $7 billion in annual value add and the $1.2 billion its supply chain pays in taxes each year,” said Mr. Parker.

“The support from the Modern Manufacturing Strategy is testimony to the opportunities that the industry can provide to the nation’s recovery and rebuild efforts, a position that was recently outlined in the Council’s recovery blueprint,” added Mr Parker. The blueprint, recently launched with the support of the Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, the Hon. Trevor Evans MP, maps out an ambitious post-Coronavirus recovery agenda to complement the Australian Government’s pro-growth and pro-jobs policies, identifying nine key inhibitors to growth and jobs creations across the economy which is slowing business and the wider economy from get back on their feet,” said Mr Parker.

“Underpinned by a commitment to support widespread economic rebuilding and recovery, the blueprint details a number of key policy areas that have broad appeal to support recovery beyond the drinks industry, including harmonisation of Container Deposit Schemes [CDS], incentivising key groups to meet sustainability goals, increasing recycling infrastructure, reforming the tax system, simplifying the industrial relations system and improving energy policy.”

The Australian Beverages Council is also pleased to see that recycling has been included in the National Manufacturing Priorities in recognition of the need for the government to fast-track the development of reprocessing and remanufacturing infrastructure to handle post-consumer beverage containers and other waste here in Australia to close the domestic loop. The drinks industry supports the Australian Government’s focus on creating incentives and infrastructure at every step of the waste supply chain.

“The Australian Beverages Council welcomes the opportunity to partner with the government on this important policy announcement and represent the non-alcoholic drinks industry in the development of the industry-led recovery road map” said Mr. Parker.

The full recovery blueprint report can be found at A Refreshing Recovery September 2020.

Mr Geoff Parker is available for interview about the industry’s policy reform blueprint and the response to the Modern Manufacturing Strategy.

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Australian Beverages Council
The is the peak body representing the collective interests of the non-alcoholic beverages industry. We strive to advance the industry as a whole, as well as successfully represent the range of beverages produced by our members. These include carbonated regular and diet soft drinks, energy drinks, sports and isotonic drinks, bottled and packaged waters, fruit juice and fruit drinks, cordials, iced teas, ready-to-drink coffees, flavoured milk and flavoured plant milk. The unified voice of the Australian Beverages Council offers our members a presence beyond individual representation in order to promote fairness in the standards, regulations, and policies concerning non-alcoholic beverages. The Australian Beverages Council introduced a dedicated juice division, Juice Australia (formerly Fruit Juice Australia), in 2009 and a dedicated water division, the Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI), in 2011.

For further information or to interview Geoff Parker, CEO, Australian Beverages Council:
Mrs Charlotte Milne
Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager
Australian Beverages Council
M: 0478 890 920
E: Charlotte@ausbev.org