The Tasmanian Government has welcomed news that the Federal Labor Government's unfair Biosecurity Tax has failed to pass through the Australian Parliament.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said the Tasmanian Government has made it clear that it stands with Tassie farmers who are opposed to Labor's controversial protection levy bill.
"Australian farmers already contribute $150 million in levies to pay the Federal Government for research and development, biosecurity screening and global market access," Minister Howlett said.
"Slugging our hardworking Tasmania farming community with a Biosecurity tax that will do nothing more than subsidise issues for mainland Australia is unfair.
"I previously wrote to the Federal Labor Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Murray Watt, calling on him to abandon plans for this tax.
"I call on him again to withdraw the bill from the Federal Senate.
"Under the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's future our Government promises to fight side by side with farmers who are opposed to a tax that will have little benefit for Tasmanian producers.
"We know the value of keeping our island State free of pests and diseases, and we will continue to stand with farmers in their fight against this tax."
