Australia: Farmers applaud carbon tax repeal
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has congratulated the Coalition Government for delivering on its election promise to repeal the carbon tax, with the Senate passing the necessary legislation.
NFF president Brent Finlay said the NFF has not supported the carbon tax due to the unnecessary cost impost on Australian farm businesses, agricultural input suppliers and food processors.
“Australian agriculture is breathing a sigh of relief now the tax has finally been abolished. The sector itself was excluded from directly paying the tax. However, costs imposed on other businesses were passed on to agriculture and the bottom line of farm businesses,” said Finlay.
“Carbon tax flow-on costs hit Australian farmers every time they paid for essential electricity, fertiliser, chemical and fuel supplies. Rather than promoting Australian farm competitiveness, the tax dampened the sector’s efforts to grow and increase productivity.
“Australian agriculture already plays a crucial role in reducing emissions. To enable our sector to continue to play this role – and remain viable at the same time – the right policy settings must be in place,” said Finlay.
The NFF calls on the Government to institute effective pathways for agriculture to participate in the Emissions Reduction Fund. This should be accompanied by a firm commitment to invest in research and development, in order to develop and convert carbon science and methodologies into practical and feasible on-farm action.
“The NFF commends the Coalition Government on its pursuit of the carbon tax repeal since its first week in office. We urge the new Senate to prioritise business certainty when deliberating on key legislative initiatives, including those that deliver on the Government’s election commitments,” Finlay added.
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