Backpacker tax rejection is politics over a solution

The Tasmanian Government is bitterly disappointed and absolutely dismayed that Labor senators, the Greens and Jacqui Lambie chose cheap politics over Tasmanian jobs and certainty in voting against the 15 per cent backpacker tax compromise.
Farming and rural groups were unanimous in their support for the compromise 15 per cent backpacker tax proposed by the Turnbull Government.
We have consistently argued that the Tasmanian horticultural and tourism industries needed certainty and a tax rate that keeps our industries competitive with other countries. This was a sensible solution.
Now we see Labor, the Greens and Senator Lambie putting politics first and Tasmanian tourism and horticultural businesses absolutely last in this irresponsible and selfish political game.
The delay in finalising this issue has been extremely frustrating and disappointing for the Tasmanian Government and especially for our famers and tourism operators who are being used cynically as political pawns as Labor, the Greens and Senator Lambie are prepared to hold Tasmania to political ransom.

Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Primary Industries and Water