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ANU report critiques Albanese Labor government fresh food tax suggesting alternatives like charging importers for biosecurity

ANU report criticises Labor's fresh food tax, suggests alternative funding methods for biosecurity. Nationals' David Littleproud opposes levy, citing flaws and impact on farmers. Calls for its removal.

By news@gippsland - 23rd February 2024 - Back to News

A new report by the Australian National University (ANU) warns Labor's new fresh food tax is at odds with standard tax practice and doesn't pass critical scrutiny. The University's Tax and Transfer Policy Institute (TTPI) claims resistance to the levy from primary producers and bodies including the Productivity Commission is justified.

Labor's tax burdens families and farmers, shifting biosecurity costs onto farmers. Confusion reigns; demands for its abolition arise from stakeholders

Alternative levy approach

It also concludes an alternative approach to the levy is desirable, given the weaknesses of the proposed biosecurity protection levy and the fact there are other ways to fund biosecurity, including increasing charges for those who create biosecurity threats, such as importers and travellers, or funding biosecurity through general revenue.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said it was clear Labor's new biosecurity protection levy, set to be introduced on July 1, was not the best way to fund biosecurity and was instead unfairly targeting families and farmers.

"The report states the revised policy's approach of setting the levy according to industry gross value product (GVP) is at odds with standard tax practice. Normally taxes would be applied on net proceeds, where production costs have first been subtracted from gross revenues," Mr Littleproud said.

Levy design changes

In February 2024, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) announced changes to the levy design. Mr Littleproud said the report showed Labor didn't understand how it would obtain the levy from industry and its own explanation of calculating the levy didn't make sense.

"Australian families and farmers will be impacted by Labor's new tax, which will force Australian farmers to pay for the biosecurity costs of international importers. The new levy is messy, confusing, complicated and not even Labor can work it out."

"The process is clearly flawed and farmers have lost confidence in the system. Labor needs to listen to the strong concerns raised by Australian producers and now university academics and scrap this senseless new tax," Mr Littleproud said.

Pictures from David Littleproud MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Nationals leader David Littleproud warns Australia's food security is at risk, with two in five growers considering leaving amid rising compliance costs, financial strain, and Labor policies undermining farming viability.
• Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades boost tourism, safety, and local businesses with $3.8M government support
  Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades, supported by $3.8 million government funding, improve safety, accessibility, tourism, and local business, while celebrating Indigenous culture and supporting bushfire-affected communities.
• Darren Chester urges abandoning flawed legislation restricting medal reviews to actions within 20 years
  The Albanese government's proposed legislation limits medal appeals to 20 years, stripping veterans and families of rights. Darren Chester says the changes undermine the Defence Honours Tribunal's independence and disenfranchise ADF members.
• Tim Bull criticises Minister Dimopoulos for dismissing G-Wagon concerns, warning Gippsland’s fire preparedness is reduced
  Tim Bull criticises Environment Minister Dimopoulos for dismissing concerns about withdrawn G-Wagon firefighting vehicles, warning Gippsland faces reduced fire preparedness and urging clear answers before the upcoming fire season.
• Korumburra hosts South Gippsland Garlic Festival 2026 with stalls, cooking demos, entertainment, and garlic-inspired food on 28 February
  The South Gippsland Garlic Festival returns to Korumburra on 28 February, featuring almost 100 stalls, garlic-inspired dishes, cooking demos, chef presentations, entertainment, kids’ activities, and Garlic University workshops.
• Martin Cameron criticises WorkSafe, calling system flawed after apprentice Byron Foley’s catastrophic injury
  Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Victoria’s "fundamentally broken" WorkSafe system, highlighting apprentice Byron Foley’s catastrophic injury, ongoing struggles, and calling for urgent reform, fairer compensation, and better support services.
• Omeo’s Day Avenue upgraded with safer streets, accessible paths, bike parking, greenery, and Victorian government investment
  Omeo’s Day Avenue upgraded with safer streets, accessible paths, signage, parking, bike facilities, greenery, and $200,000 Victorian government investment, creating jobs and enhancing experiences for locals and visitors.
• Tim Bull criticises sudden last-minute VLine reductions from six to three carriages, causing tension due to limited rolling stock
  Victorian country train passengers are forced to stand up to four hours after last-minute carriage cuts, with MP Tim Bull urging PSOs and additional services to protect booked seating.
• Regional all abilities participation grants is now open to boost inclusive sports opportunities for people with disability in regional communities
  The Allan Labor government's Regional All Abilities Participation Grants offer up to $25,000 for clubs to boost disability inclusion through equipment, training, travel support, and all-abilities sports programs.
• Darren Chester urges federal support for forest scientists making Australia's sustainable native hardwood timber industry
  Darren Chester has urged the Albanese government to support credible forest scientists backing Australia's sustainable native hardwood timber industry, criticising activist influence and government bans harming regional jobs and communities.
• Danny O’Brien criticises ongoing social housing maintenance delays leaving vulnerable Gippslanders waiting far too long
  Danny O’Brien warns ongoing delays in social housing maintenance leave vulnerable Gippslanders waiting months, highlighting a vacant Foster property and urging timely repairs and better decision-making to address shortages.
• Enhancing farm dams: Learn from experts at Wilandra Farms Field Day in Clydebank on 26 November 2025
  Join WGCMA's free field day at Wilandra Farms, Clydebank, on 26 November to learn from ANU ecologists about enhancing farm dams for biodiversity, water quality, and climate resilience.
• Peri Urban Councils advocate for housing, infrastructure, and policy recognition with state government
  Peri Urban Councils Victoria met government leaders at Spring Street, advocating for housing solutions, essential infrastructure funding, and policy recognition to support rapidly growing peri urban communities sustainably.