The nightmare of the backpacker tax just keeps worsening
Barnaby Joyce may talk a good game, but like every other time he has gone missing when it matters most.
Shadow agriculture and rural affairs minister Joel Fitzgibbon said the worst fears of the farming and tourism sectors were realised when they learned that the backpacker tax is still due to commence on 1 July 2016.
“The Turnbull government said it would delay and review the tax,” said the shadow minister.
“They are misleading farmers and tourism operators.”
“But accountants are being referred to the Australian Taxation Office website, which indicates the tax should be implemented on 1 July.
“Malcolm Turnbull and Barnaby Joyce are misleading those affected by the tax.
“They are still booking the $540m in revenue they claim the tax will raise.
“At the same time they are leading farmers and tourism operators to believe they have delayed its implementation.” he added.
It is clear the government of Malcolm Turnbull and Barnaby Joyce intend to have people believe prior to the election that it will not impose the tax, but plan to do the exact opposite after the election.
“The Turnbull government needs to come clean.”
“Turnbull and Joyce have been caught out,” said shadow tourism minister Anthony Albanese.
“Backpackers are critical to the tourism and agricultural workforces and are among the highest spending and longest staying visitors to Australia.
“They are also net creators of jobs and significantly benefit regional Australia through their labour and spending,” Albanese added.
Department of Immigration research shows for every five working holiday-maker arrivals in Australia, one new full-time job is created in sectors such as accommodation, retail, tourism, education or hospitality.
“The Turnbull government needs to come clean and clarify its intentions on the backpacker tax today,” Fitzgibbon said.
