Gas crisis extends to wine industry

Wineries may be forced to close their bottling operations within days as the gas crisis extends to more industries across the state.

Liberal Leader Troy Buswell met with businesses in the South West today to discuss how the gas shortage is affecting them, their communities and families.

"The impact of the gas crisis is spreading and has now hit the wine industry which needs gas for its bottling processes," Mr Buswell said.

"I understand this is a significant time of year for the wine industry and the gas shortage is having real impact on not only on business but their employees and their families.

"Without reliable supplies, wineries must truck the gas in from the Eastern States, an expensive option which could mean passing on the increased production cost to the consumer or lead to closures, putting many people out of work.

"The South-West has built a proud reputation on its premier wine region with hundreds of thousands of people visiting wineries each year.

"If the situation continues to worsen and wineries are forced to close, it will badly affect our tourism industry and our standing as a wine producing state.

Mr Buswell is calling on businesses to write to the Premier detailing the issues they face in the wake of this gas crisis.

"The Premier needs to know how business is suffering to understand that no industry is immune to this shortage," he said.