2016-05-17
Deferring the backpacker tax for six months for a ‘whole of Government review’ is a tactic to hose down opposition in the lead up to Election Day, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
"The Government's backpacker tax is a grab for revenue that ignores the impact on growers.
"This is Government just trying to take the issue off the agenda until after July 2.
“Growers rely on working holiday makers for key seasonal work, such workers will go elsewhere instead of Australia adversely affecting our farming sector.
“No one wins with the backpacker tax, farmers and growers need to attract workers and it serves as a disincentive to backpackers to work in the agricultural sector.
"Peak farming organisations reject this tax, as do the Greens.
"The Government's delay of the tax is a cynical election move to delay the operation of the tax until after the election. The Government should abandon the tax now”.