Independent JLN Senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie on the behalf of desperate Tasmanian farmers – has welcomed the news that the Liberal / National parties have back flipped, partly listened to cross bench senators and further reduced their Backpacker tax rate by 4% to 15%.
“If Tasmania had the balance of power in the Senate, with the assistance of a couple more JLN independent senators – then the backpacker tax rate would have remained unchanged at zero percent – and this unnecessary, harmful rural crisis would never had developed.
The Liberal government’s plan to force backpacker fruit pickers to pay firstly, 32.5%, then 19% and now 15% tax, after they had never paid tax before – was always dumb, uncaring and bloody minded.” said Senator Lambie.
“While ever New Zealand has a backpacker tax rate of 10.5% – rates of 32% and 19% were always going to be internationally uncompetitive – and doomed for failure. And while I acknowledge that many desperate farmers will welcome a reduction of 4% to 15%, they still don’t have any guarantee, that the damage to Australia’s international reputation will be repaired.
At 15% Tasmanian farmers still don’t have a guarantee that the international workers will come, the fruit will be picked and all those full time Australian jobs will be protected. Our farmers, and workers would have had that guarantee if the rate had remained at 0 % or even 10.5%. I’m very disappointed that our farming families can’t be given that guarantee with this new deal.
However, one good thing to come out of this mess – is that the Labor party has strongly stated they will stand by 10.5%. This means that if they take power after the next election – Tasmanian farmers will have a guarantee that an internationally competitive tax rate for Backpackers will be reinstated.
I always listen closely to Tasmanian farmers. If this Government / One Nation plan doesn’t work – I will be the first to raise the alarm – and submit an alternative plan to this Senate, to restore the Backpacker tax to its original zero percent.” said Senator Lambie.
Rob Messenger for Senator Jacqui Lambie Senator for Tasmania