A win for families and farmers as Senate plans to block Labor’s fresh food tax

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said common sense has prevailed, after
confirmation the crossbench will block Labor’s disastrous and ill thought-out fresh food tax
in the Senate.
It comes after The Nationals spent the past year campaigning with farmers and industry
against the tax, called a biosecurity protection levy, which would have hurt both families
and farmers amid a cost-of-living crisis.
“This is a win for families, a win for farmers and a win for regional Australia,” Mr Littleproud
said.
“I am proud to have been part of a campaign to stop Labor’s fresh food tax as soon as it was
announced in Labor’s bad Budget last year. I would like to thank everyone who supported
The Nationals and joined our efforts to scrap this tax, either by signing our petition, backing
our media campaign or helping to highlight just how disgraceful Labor’s reckless new tax
would be.
“Not only would this tax drive up the price of fresh food, with farmers forced to pass on
costs, it would also undermine the entire levy system, causing chaos and confusion across
industry.
“Families need food that is more affordable and our farmers need support to get food from
paddock to plate. While Labor tried to introduce the exact opposite, The Nationals will
always fight for common sense and for fairness in the regions.”
Mr Littleproud added Agriculture Minister Murray Watt should be ashamed for even
contemplating the idea, let alone trying to push it through and introduce the tax on July 1.
“The fact Minister Watt refused to listen to concerns and instead doubled down, carrying
out a rushed and confusing policy which lacked in detail, is either lazy or arrogant.
“It was senseless when better alternatives were offered by The Nationals, such as an
importer container levy, which would charge importers, not our own farmers, to pay for
biosecurity risks being created as produce comes into the country.
“In what parallel universe would a government charge its own farmers to pay for the
biosecurity risks their competitors are creating, just to raise $150 million over three years
for consolidated revenue? I want families and farmers to know The Nationals have your
back. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Australian farmers today and welcome news the
Senate will reject Labor’s fresh food tax.”