Nationals Leader, David Littleproud, is warning Labor still has no plan for biosecurity in this National Biosecurity Week.
Mr Littleproud said National Biosecurity Week is a timely reminder that Labor needs to explain how it will fund, support, and safeguard Australia from dangerous pests and diseases.
“Labor seems to have ditched plans for a fresh food tax, or biosecurity protection levy, which was due to be implemented on July 1,” Mr Littleproud said.
“However, July 1 has come and gone and Labor hasn’t announced a new plan to fund biosecurity. Labor must explain if taxpayers will now foot the biosecurity bill.”
Mr Littleproud added he remained concerned Labor had created a sustainable biosecurity funding advisory panel earlier this year, to look at ways farmers could pay more for biosecurity.
“Labor must also declare that it will leave the current industry-imposed primary industries levies system – that invests in research and development, marketing, and biosecurity – alone.
“The primary industries levies system is critical to the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of agriculture, and farmers need to know this system will not be used by the Albanese Labor Government to implement a tax. A future Nationals Government will introduce a container levy, ensuring those who create the risk also pay for the risk.”
