South West MLC Barry House, who is also the president of the WA Legislative Council, has appealed for local support for local producers.

“The Margaret River wine region and the Western Australian wine industry have been very successful in emphasising the quality and excellence of our wine,” he told the Mail.

“Competition is fine and if New Zealand wines can maintain their quality in excellence, then good luck to them. But for the sake of a dollar or two difference then I’m just appealing to the local loyalty I guess, to back up the industry that’s so important to our area.”

Mr House said wine had become competitive in Australia and this region was feeling the effects of pretty intense competition from right around the world.

He wanted West Australians and Australians to support the local wine producers and meet the challenge from the growing New Zealand wine industry.

“There is no doubt that cheap New Zealand wines have recently had an impact on local consumers, cutting into producers’ markets,” he said.

“As one of Western Australia’s most popular wines, the New Zealand sauvignon blanc has become one of the South-West wine industry’s biggest threats.

“I don’t think people realise the impact this is having on one of the region’s iconic industry sectors.

“The South-West region’s wine industry is not only responsible for a significant number of jobs but it also promotes and supports the ongoing growth and viability of the tourism industry.

“The very fact that this region is a premium wine producing one should be enough to show some loyalty when purchasing wine.

“I’m not calling for a total boycott on the purchase of this product; I am just highlighting the fact that consumers should consider the bigger picture when they are looking to buy a bottle of wine in the future,” Mr House said.