Page Labor MP Janelle Saffin’s accusation that the Coalition has ripped a hole in Australia’s biosecurity budget would be more credible if it were true, said the Nationals Senator for NSW, Fiona Nash.
"The Nationals and the Liberals voted against the removal of the 40 per cent AQIS rebate, sparing food producers increased costs that could send some to the wall,” Senator Nash said.
“The Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, took many in the industry by surprise with his move to take away the 40 per cent rebate. To add insult to injury he then tied the delivery of funds necessary to deliver reforms to the safe passage of the revised fee structures through Parliament.
“Exporters faced an ultimatum: either accept 100 per cent cost recovery with no transition period or jeopardise progress on a long-overdue regulatory reform. Many other nations believe export certification is a public good and do not charge full cost recovery. Australia’s exporters would have been at a disadvantage if they were made to pay what amounts to a tax on their businesses. This is from the same Labor Government that wants to add a tax to the price of everything, especially food, with its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
“Perhaps Ms Saffin may like to do what she can to stop the State Labor Government’s decision to sell off the Casino to Murwillumbah rail corridor.
“After that she may care to explain why hospitals were not fixed by the end of June, as promised by Kevin Rudd. The local small businesses that are owed more than
$7 million by the North Coast Regional Health Service would be delighted to know where their money is.”
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