THE Senate Inquiry into the Working Holiday Maker Reform package recommends the Coalition Government’s legislation to provide a 19 per cent tax rate be passed to maintain Australia’s attractiveness to backpackers and secure supplementary harvest labour for Australian farmers.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said the Senate Committee’s verdict on the Coalition’s proposed reforms to working holiday maker tax rates was crystal clear.

“The Committee recommends the bills be passed as quickly as possible,” Minister Joyce said.

“The Senate Committee is confident the reform package will ensure that working holiday makers are paying a fair share of tax and not disadvantaging Australian workers, while retaining Australia as a destination of choice for those workers.”

Minister Joyce said backpackers would have more money in their pockets when they work in Australia – compared to New Zealand, Canada, or the UK – under a 19pc tax.

“Our tax position is fully funded and internationally competitive due to our high wage rates, which was also highlighted by NSW Farmers and Cotton Australia in their submissions to the report,” Minister Joyce said.

In its submission, the National Farmers’ Federation reported it had supported the 19pc from the beginning and chief executive officer Tony Mahar echoed the sentiments of most when he said: “the uncertainty is killing the industry and causing huge concern as we come into the summer fruit season”.

Meanwhile, Labor, One Nation and Senator Jacquie Lambie are proposing a 10.5pc tax that puts a $500 million hole in the budget with no savings identified.

“Not only does Labor’s blatantly political game playing add more delays that could see fruit left unpicked on the trees over Christmas; and not only does Labor’s proposal leave a $500 million hole in the federal budget, but Labor plans to slap a higher marginal tax rate on Aussie workers than it does on foreign backpackers,” Minister Joyce said.

Minister Joyce said the Senate Inquiry also made it clear that stalling the passage of legislation would mean backpackers would be liable for the 32.5pc tax rate from January 1, 2017.

“That is because the 32.5pc tax rate applying to non-residents had been the law since it was increased from 29pc by the previous Labor Government as part of Labor’s 2012-13 Budget,” Minister Joyce said.

Source: Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources