The Tasmanian Government has welcomed the news that the Federal Labor Government’s unfair biosecurity tax has been rejected by the Australian Parliament.

Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jane Howlett said the Tasmanian Government has made it clear it stands with Tasmania’s farmers who oppose Labor’s controversial protection levy bill.

“Australian farmers already contribute $150 million in levies to pay the Federal Government for research and development, biosecurity screening and global market access,” Minister Howlett said.

“It is unfair to punish our hardworking farming community in Tasmania with a biosecurity tax that does nothing more than subsidise problems on mainland Australia.

“I have previously written to the Federal Minister of Labor for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Murray Watt, asking him to abandon plans for this tax.

“I call on him again to withdraw the bill from the Federal Senate.

“As part of the Strong Plan 2030 for Tasmania’s future, our government is committed to fighting alongside farmers who oppose a tax that delivers little benefit to Tasmanian producers.

“We know how important it is to keep our island nation free from pests and diseases, and we will continue to support farmers in their fight against this tax.”