Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien
I took the opportunity to ride my motorbike to Canberra for the first fortnight of the Autumn sitting of Parliament.
The House of Representatives is considering several of pieces of legislation, and the Albanese Government’s Fresh Food Tax has to be one of the worst propositions brought before the House in this session.
The three Bills relate to Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies and Charges, and unbelievably, will make Australian farmers, fishers, and graziers pay for the biosecurity risks posed by their international competitors.
This tax will drive the cost of Australian produce up, thereby making imports more attractive to consumers, so it’s a tax on Australian competition, making Australian produce less competitive.
Higher costs of doing business means higher costs to consumers. In the middle of this cost of living crisis, the Labor Government is introducing new taxes that will drive up the price of home grown food and produce, making it even harder for the many Australians who are already struggling to make ends meet.
Anyone who has seen the television show Border Security knows that people try to bring in all manner of things that risk spreading exotic pests and diseases.
The Liberal and Nationals Coalition recognises the absolute necessity of maintaining strong border biosecurity measures to protect our flora, fauna, and agricultural industries from introduced threats.
But the importance of having a strong biosecurity system is not the priority of these Albanese Government Bills – it’s all about raising taxes.
The Bills do not contain any framework on how Labor’s Fresh Food Tax will be administered, or how the funds raised will be used. Essentially, they are an open ended proposition with the proceeds going into general revenue.
The levies squeezed from our farmers are not even guaranteed to end up funding biosecurity measures. We don’t know where the money will go and what it will be used for.
The Coalition will not support these Bills. In his 2023 Budget Reply speech, the Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton announced that instead of imposing Labor’s Fresh Food Tax on our farmers, a Dutton Coalition Government would introduce an Importer Container Levy.
This is in line with recommendations from the independent Craik Biosecurity Review, which investigated ways to sustainably minimise risks to our unique biodiversity and our vital agricultural sector.
The cost of eliminating imported biosecurity threats should be paid for by importers. Not by Australian farmers.
There has been another tragic triple fatality on the Bruce Highway in the week before Easter. As motorists, we need to ensure that we are doing the right thing and abiding by the fatal five. Don’t speed, don’t drive if you have been drinking, taking drugs or prescription medications that impair your ability. Don’t drive if you are tired or fatigued, don’t be distracted by your phone, and make sure you and all your passengers are wearing seat belts.
We have a responsibility to keep our families, and those around us safe and as we go into Easter, there will be more traffic on the road and there is a greater risk.
I am imploring everyone, abide by the fatal five, make you are well rested and in the best possible shape to drive over Easter, and get everyone home safe.
