Concerns of horticulture industry heard: Backpacker tax to go! By George Christensen
The concerns of those in the horticultural industry have been heard, and the plan to introduce a 15% flat rate of tax for backpackers will now face a full review.Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck has announced a cross-department review so that we can take a long hard look at the issues surrounding the so-called ‘backpacker tax’ to make sure that we do not disadvantage growers who have been relying on backpackers to harvest their crops.I have had numerous phone calls and meetings with those in the horticultural industry, and I agreed to support the Bowen Gumlu growers in their push for a 15% flat rate of tax, rather than the proposed 32.5c tax for every dollar earned for those on working holiday visas.
Taking the tax pledge
HAVE signed a Tax Pledge demonstrating my commitment to vote against any tax increases, and I'm challenging Labor Leader Bill Shorten and his local Labor candidate to do the same while they’re both in Mackay tomorrow.I've taken this stance ahead of an orchestrated “GST Forum” being hosted by the Labor Party on Wednesday night.I didn’t go into politics to increase taxes, I went in to lower taxes, and in fact in my maiden speech I said exactly that.