National Farmers’ Federation president David Jochinke said while farmers were disappointed to see the controversial levy pass the lower house and progress to the Senate, it was encouraging to see MPs validating the industry’s strong concerns.
“This was a very lonely vote for the government, and we thank every member who voted against this bad idea. It’s an important demonstration to farmers that their concerns are being heard.”
Farmer groups and Nationals MPs have been loud in their opposition to the levy — dubbed ‘Labor’s fresh food tax’ — especially Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell and his leader David Littleproud.
Greens MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown said her party had “serious concerns about the lack of transparency and oversight” applied to the allocation of collected industry funds.
“The Greens will be pushing the government to commit to progressing a levy on risk creators in the form of a container levy,” Ms Watson-Brown said.
Several independent MPS on the crossbench also reiterated the industry’s concerns.
Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines shared concern that the levy will be going into consolidated revenue, noting “there is no guarantee that this new charge on farmers will actually go to biosecurity measures”.
“In criticising this bill, farmers are not asking the government to do all the work, because they already contribute to biosecurity measures via existing levies, on-farm activities and much, much more,” Dr Haines said.
Mr Jochinke called on Senators to oppose the levy. “It’s as simple as not standing for poor policy, and we can only hope that Senators see that too.”
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