29 Apr 2016
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation and its industry members are seeking urgent clarification from the Government over the future of the proposed Backpacker Tax.
Recent reports are indicating that the government has decided not to reconsider the proposed tax and will proceed without applying any of the recommendations from the recent review into the tax.
QFF President Stuart Armitage stated since the announcement of the changes to the backpacker tax regime QFF and its members have worked constructively with Minister Minister Colbeck, Assistant Ministers Ruston and Keith Pitt MP to develop a cross-sectoral response to the proposed changes.
“The key component of the proposal was for a flat tax rate of between 15 and 19 per cent, with no tax free threshold, to be applied to all working holiday makers.”
“The reports that the government has simply ignored the recommendations of the internal review into the tax, the will of 30,000 petitioners and the united campaign from the farming and tourism industries is extremely disappointing.”
“If true, it is a real let down for Queensland’s rural industries and regional communities.”
“Backpackers are an essential component of our labour force and any policy determination that reduces access to backpacker labour has serious consequences for our industries.”
“Working holiday makers contribute more than $3.5 billion to the economy each year as some 40,000 workers come to regional areas to work on farms.”
“The Federal government is showing poor judgement by proposing changes that will undermine the future of cotton, fruit and vegetable industries in Queensland.”
“We cannot allow the current lose-lose-lose situation where the backpackers stop coming, the growers and farmers are affected and the local rural economies are put in unnecessary jeopardy.”
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation is the united voice of intensive agriculture in Queensland. It is a federation that represents the interests of 17 of Queensland’s peak rural industry organisations, which in turn collectively represent more than 13,000 primary producers across Queensland.
The post Government must act on Backpacker Tax appeared first on Queensland Farmers' Federation.