Biosecurity tax scrapped after fierce industry pushback

The biosecurity tax has been sensationally axed, with the government fully discharging the Biosecurity Protection Levy from the Senate Notice Papers on Wednesday.

Agriculture industry leaders welcomed the news and thanked the Minister for Agriculture, Julie Collins, for listening to farmers’ concerns.

“This is a huge win for farmers," National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke said.

"The Minister and the Senate have listened – this tax was deeply flawed and unfair to farmers. 

“I also tip my hat to our members, industry stakeholders and the thousands of farmers who voiced their concerns about this tax.

“Together we put up a fierce fight and we are relieved to close the book on this idea."

This fight on this issue, and others including the banning of export of live sheep, included a National Day of Action, a rally in Canberra and ag leaders walking out of then Ag Minister Murray Watt's budget breakfast in 2024.

Mr Jochinke said farmers already contributed significantly to the biosecurity system, and the NFF looked forward to working with the Government on policy that strengthens defence against pests and diseases without adding extra costs on farmers.

Cattle Australia (CA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Chris Parker said: “Finally, the Government has recognised its proposed levy system would have resulted in inequitable imposts on farm industries through a clunky collection mechanism that lacked transparency."

“The Australian beef industry exports more than 70% of its production and this is contingent on our disease-free statuses, so biosecurity is of paramount importance to grass-fed beef producers," Dr Parker said.

“CA fully supports increased Government investment in biosecurity and with the Federal election due in coming months, we encourage both parties to release their policies for a workable and sustainable funding model that provides biosecurity agencies with the resources they need to protect our industries.”

WoolProducers CEO, Jo Hall said “This is a great example of industries coming together to push back on unfair taxing of the agricultural sector.”

"While WoolProducers are relieved following this announcement we continue to support equitable and adequate funding for Australia’s biosecurity system."

More than 50 agricultural representative groups signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2024 expressing unified opposition about the new tax. 

The Bills passed the House of Representatives on March 27, 2024. The government forced through the Bills, 74 votes to 67, with only Labor MPs’ support. 

The Bills were effectively shelved on May 15, 2024, when it was confirmed The Greens, Coalition, One Nation, and Senators David Pocock, Jacqui Lambie, Tammy Tyrell and Ralph Babet would oppose the tax in the Senate.

On Wednesday Senator Bridget McKenzie hammered the final nail in the bills' coffin when she moved a motion to discharge the bills, noting among other reasons that the bills had been left on the Notice Paper without any debate for more than 320 days.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said farmers and families had secured a huge cost-of-living win.