Barnaby Joyce
October 12, 2016
Farmers hoping a solution to the Backpacker Tax had been worked out are still in limbo.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the Labor Party had referred the Backpacker Tax plan to a Senate committee, creating further uncertainty for farmers.
He said there had been months of consultation with industry to resolve the issue” in the best interests of our farmers and the economy”.
Mr Joyce said Labor’s “delaying tactics” were “either a deliberate attempt to toy with the financial security of farmers, or it was confirmation that Labor simply isn’t able to make decisions”.
“The Coalition Government is calling on the Opposition to get behind the widely supported cuts to the proposed backpacker tax rate from 32.5 per cent to 19 per cent, to provide much needed certainty for stakeholders,” Mr Joyce said.
“We also understand that as the peak tourism and harvest season is fast approaching, a quick and fair resolution to restore certainty to the industry is vital.
“More than 1700 stakeholders contributed to the review through written submissions and face-to-face consultations. They made it clear that an early resolution to the tax rate issue was needed.
“The Coalition Government listened and is providing certainty to stakeholders for the upcoming harvest and tourism seasons, all we need now is for common sense to prevail in the minds of the Labor Party.
“I am calling on anyone who feels as strongly as I do about this issue to contact their local Labor member to get this vital legislation passed.”
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