Scrap the Biosecurity Tax Now!
GPA is backing moves to give Australian producers a stronger voice to express our shared concerns about this new tax. Due to be implemented by July 1, it will require new legislation to be debated and voted on in Federal Parliament during the first half of this year.
We’re calling on all producers and supporters to back this campaign by making a contribution to our fighting fund. This will provide vital resources to help strengthen the voice of producers and take affirmative action in Canberra to block the biosecurity tax.
We need to keep sending our elected representatives a loud and strong message warning about the risks and consequences on behalf of Australian farmers.
Agriculture Minister, Murray Watt, and Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, were also included in the correspondence to the PM, which calls for action to address major policy flaws and inequities.
The letter says the principles of this policy proposal do not accord with the recent Productivity Commission report into levies, which assesses the policy against well-understood criteria. The independent Productivity Commission analysis also supports industry’s view that this is a tax. It is proposed to be non-hypothecated and carries multiple risks and consequences for producers.
The farm representative groups which signed the letter are calling for an immediate reversal of the government’s flawed ‘one-size-fits-all’ tax proposal to prevent unintended consequences.
This decision would help start the process of repairing the damage that’s already been inflicted on trust and confidence in the existing levy system, and key partnerships with producers.
It will also allow a more considered approach to accommodate levy payers’ concerns.
Other actions you can take to support our campaign:
Write to your local MP, the PM, Treasurer and Agriculture Minister to reinforce your opposition to the proposed tax and support its immediate reversal.
GPA Biosecurity Levy Survey - June 2023: GRAIN PRODUCERS ROUNDLY REJECT 10pc BIOSECURITY LEVY