Biosecurity Tax Scrapped
No doubt everyone will have seen the news now about the fate of the bills to establish the Biosecurity Tax and this proposal failing in the Federal Senate recently.
The bills were listed for debate on budget day (May 14) but this was halted after the Australian Greens and other independent and minor party representatives informed Agriculture Minister, Murray Watt, they’d be voting against the government’s proposed levy/tax, in the Upper House. In reflecting the concerns held by the majority of representatives, Greens Senator for Tasmania and Agriculture Spokesperson Peter Whish-Wilson said it was "poor policy in both principle and design".
This followed a similar scenario after a strong and compelling debate in the Lower House in March, where everyone but Labor voted against the bills. This strong opposing vote also triggered a Senate inquiry, which reported on the Friday before budget day where the government was informed they didn’t have the numbers.
Whilst the bills remain on the notice papers for government business in the Senate, the unambiguous statements about the flaws in this policy made by the Greens and others, such as Independent ACT Senator, David Pocock, along with the Coalition’s strong stance against this flawed proposal, means the bills would be clearly voted down and defeated, if the government brought forward a debate.
At a media conference last week, regarding the next steps, Minister Watt said: “we’ve listened to what the crossbench have said and we’ll consider our position from here”.
GPA thanks all MPs and Senators who’ve listened to the strong concerns raised by Australian farmers about the fundamental flaws inherent in this proposal to impose another cost of doing business on farmers. We’ll continue to monitor this situation closely to ensure the right outcome is achieved which reflects GPA’s strong stance opposing this flawed proposal and its failure to achieve fairness or equity and therefore has not been supported by the farmers who were being told to pay this new levy-tax, over the past year.
We’d also like to thank the many other farmer representatives and independent experts who’ve contributed to this outcome – especially the 50 representative groups who co-signed the joint letter to the Prime Minister, Treasurer and Agriculture Minister last December HERE
Advocacy in food and beverage inquiry
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources is conducting an inquiry into Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Australia.
With several rural MPs on the Committee with farming experience and connections, this presents an excellent opportunity to advocate important issues for grain producers and broader policy considerations aimed at boosting value through value-adding.
That’s why GPA has made a submission to this inquiry with several recommendations which can help boost the profitability and sustainability of Australian grain producers, with shared social and economic benefits for the nation.
GPA 2024 Season Update #1
As seeding and the topic of rainfall fuel the conversations of grain producers, Grain Producers Australia's representatives have provided an update on conditions from around the country. We’re pleased to bring together this regular feature at important stages during the season where we’ll hear from our state grains leaders and GPA grower directors on how conditions are unfolding in their regions throughout Australia. HERE
Hoggy Heads to Moora
GPA was proud to support an event to help bring together community members in Western Australia’s Northern Wheatbelt, who’ve have experienced a tough 2023 season and a dry start to 2024.
A sundowner was held last night at the Moora Performing Arts Centre and hosted by the Moora Chamber of Commerce. GPA’s National Mental Health Ambassador, Brad Hogg, helped bring the community together for one of his highly engaging talks with important messages. And this event also helped provide a much-needed opportunity for locals to make connection and take a break from work at the end of seeding.
This event was also supported by GrainGrowers and other partners for GPA’s Farming Mates Mental Health Initiative – especially our major sponsors Nufarm, and Rural Aid and Lifeline.
Barry Large - GPA Chair
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