FARMERS URGED TO HAVE SAY ON FRESH FOOD TAX
Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is urging farmers and families in the Riverina and Central West to have their say on Labor’s fresh food tax.
The new tax is a biosecurity levy on farmers, set at a rate equivalent of 10 per cent of the 2020-21 industry-led levies.
Consultation has now opened into the Sustainable Funding to Strengthen Biosecurity Budget measures.
Mr McCormack said farmers and families in the Riverina and Central West would be adversely affected by Labor’s new tax, which would increase the price of fresh produce.
“Farmers throughout the Riverina and Central West will likely be slugged by this new tax, which comes into effect on July 1, 2024,” Mr McCormack said.
“Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the Riverina electorate has 5,235 people employed as farmers and farm managers, representing 7.2 per cent of the 72,911 people employed in the electorate.
“Farmers are a vital part of our region as they support rural communities and provide us with fresh, healthy and affordable food.
“The new tax on farmers will inevitably be passed on to consumers, meaning even higher grocery bills for Riverina and Central West residents already suffering from higher cost-of-living pressures.
“I urge those who are concerned about this potential impost on their livelihoods to register on the website and have your say.”
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud added it had been almost three months since the Budget and there was still no new information about the biosecurity levy.
“It is unfathomable the Labor government would ask farmers to pay for the biosecurity risks of international importers from other countries,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Instead of taxing farmers, a future Coalition Government will scrap this tax. Under our plan, importers of foreign products will pay for the biosecurity risk they pose – not Australian farmers.”
For more information go to http://www.haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-funding