During the previous week, on April 23, a Senate committee discussed the potential effects of Federal Government’s suggested fresh food tax, raising major concerns about its implications, including heightened cost of living and elevated grocery expenses for locals.
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP and Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry MP are rallying against the proposal, stating that the fresh food tax, which is due to be implemented on July 1, is as an attack on families and farmers throughout their electorates.
Mr Willcox questioned the proposal, stating, “In what parallel universe would a government charge its own farmers to pay for the risks their competitors are creating?
“The new tax makes absolutely no sense. It will hurt families in our electorate, and right across Australia at a time they can least afford it and farmers who are already under pressure.
“Farmers will be forced to pass on costs, meaning families will feel more pain at the grocery checkout.
“This Senate inquiry and its outcome is crucial because this new tax will impact almost every single family and approximately 1,500 farmers and farm managers in our electorate of Dawson,” Mr Willcox said.
Local grazier Nicholas Holland emphasised that farmers are already battling significant challenges, and will now have to deal with another layer of bureaucracy hitting their bottom line.
“This Fresh Food Tax is unfair to Australian farmers,” Mr Holland said.
“Why should we be forced to pay for the biosecurity of international competitors?
“The levy will add another layer of pressure to our already tight margins, which inevitably will force the producer to pass the cost onto consumers.”
Ms Landry stands firm on the matter and said that every family and farmer deserved to feel angry that the fresh food tax had already been passed in the House of Representatives.
“The Nationals will continue to fight this senseless new tax,” Ms Landry said.
“We will fight for families and we will fight for farmers, especially when it comes to taxes that impact food prices.”
