Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton welcomes news that the Senate has blocked Labor’s biosecurity protection levy.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has welcomed news that the crossbench has blocked Labor’s disastrous and ill-thought-out biosecurity protection levy in the Senate.
It comes after The Nationals spent the past year campaigning with farmers and industry against the tax which would have hurt both farmers and families in the Parkes electorate amid a cost-of-living crisis.
“Common sense has prevailed, and after a disappointing Budget, this is at least a win for families, a win for farmers and a win for regional Australia,” Mr Coulton said.
“This bill just didn’t make sense – asking Australian farmers to pay for the biosecurity risks of international importers was just disgraceful, from a Government that has shown time and time again how little regard it has for farmers and regional Australia.
“Our farmers already pay more than their fair share of taxes, and this is just another cost that would have inevitably been passed onto consumers at the checkout.
“Families need food that is more affordable and our farmers need support to get food from paddock to plate.
“The Nationals will always fight for common sense and for fairness in the regions and I’m proud to have been part of the campaign to stop this senseless tax.
“We will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our farmers and welcome news the Senate has rejected Labor’s fresh food tax.”
