Australian spirits industry seeks regulatory support amid global expansion

The Australian spirits sector is navigating a landscape of both growth potential and regulatory challenges. Industry leaders from the Australian Distillers Association (ADA) and the Spirits Council of Australia (SCA) are advocating for a more supportive central taxation and regulatory framework to improve the competitiveness of domestic spirits.

While approximately 27.3 per cent of Australians show an appetite for spirits, industry bodies are focused on defending the sector's social licence and securing favorable tax treatments.

On a brand level, Lark Distillery is pursuing international expansion, specifically targeting Southeast Asia. Under the leadership of CEO Stuart Gregor, the Tasmanian-based distillery is leveraging its heritage and the provenance of the Tasmanian wilderness to position Australian whisky in the global luxury market, aiming to build international recognition comparable to Scotch or Irish whisky.