Queensland farmers have been let down by ‘frivolous and petty political posturing’ about the backpacker tax, the Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) said on Wednesday.
QFF president Stuart Armitage said he was dismayed and frustrated that all side of politics had failed to deliver the certainty Queensland farmers and regional communities have sought.
His statement came after a last-minute Senate backflip saw the Government’s compromise 15 per cent backpacker tax rate rejected in favour of the Opposition’s 10.5 per cent rate.
The lower rate, which was passed 35-32 with the support of One Nation’s Rod Culleton, will now have to go back to the House Of Representatives, who have one more day of sittings to accept or reject the new rate before Parliament rises for the year.
If agreement on a rate cannot be reached by both houses in the next 24 hours, the default tax rate 32.5 per cent will commence January 1.
Mr Armitage said it was unacceptable that farmers and regional Queensland continued to be kicked around like a political football over the issue.
“It is extremely disappointing that our politicians would rather play a game of ‘last man standing’ than resolve this urgent issue affecting Queensland’s farmers and regional communities,” Mr Armitage said.
“The outcome of the backpacker tax directly impacts on farmers’ livelihoods and their ability to operate their businesses.
“Politics is the art of compromise. No one gets everything they want. Unfortunately, one of the many great things about Australia and our political system has always been the pragmatism of its people, and by extension its elected representatives. This guiding principle seems to have been lost following the defeat of the 15 per cent compromise.”
Mr Armitage said the QFF had advocated for an internationally competitive tax rate that ensured Australia remained an attractive destination for backpackers to work.
“The 32.5 per cent rate is not internationally competitive and is a completely unacceptable outcome for Queensland,” he said.
“QFF joins our industry members Cotton Australia and Growcom in calling for an urgent resolution to the backpacker tax.”
QFF is a federation that represents the interests of 15 of Queensland’s peak rural industry organisations, which in turn collectively represent more than 13,000 primary producers across Queensland.
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