The Hodgman Liberal Government welcomes news that that a compromise 15 per cent backpacker tax is being proposed by the Turnbull Government.
We have consistently argued that the Tasmanian horticultural and tourism industries need certainty and a tax rate that keeps our industries competitive with other countries. The 15 per cent tax rate is equivalent to the current seasonal tax rate paid by participants of the Seasonal Worker Programme.
The delay in finalising this issue has been extremely frustrating and we urge Labor, the Greens and the independent senators to put politics to one side and support this compromise in the best interests of Tasmania’s agriculture and tourism sectors and supporting jobs in regional Tasmania.
The Hodgman Liberal Government has provided $10,000 funding to Fruit Growers Tasmania (FGT) to coordinate an industry run online campaign, including targeted social media, to promote harvest jobs in Tasmania ahead of the picking season.
The Tasmanian horticulture sector contributes over $345 million (2014-15) in farm gate value to the Tasmanian economy and is an important and growing contributor to the State’s regional employment, tourism and the overall Tasmanian brand.
Tasmanian perennial horticultural enterprises such as cherries and berry fruits are in an expansion phase, and the Tasmanian tourism sector, which is experiencing record visitor numbers and growth, is also heavily reliant on seasonal workers.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water