March 17, 2016

A review of the backpacker tax has been applauded by WAFarmers, after the Federal Government admitted that the proposal could damage the Australian agriculture and tourism industries. The decision comes off the back of extensive petitioning against the proposal by WAFarmers, the National Farmers Federation and state farming organisations, in addition to backlash from other industry representatives and both current and prospective backpackers. Tourism Minister Senator Richard Colbeck said that “legitimate concerns” had been raised

WAFarmers approves the Federal Government’s decision to introduce an ‘effects test’ which will see farmers and primary producers have greater power along the supply chain. The effects test, based on a recommendation from the Harper Competition Policy Review, will replace the existing ‘purpose test’ thus shifting the emphasis from a business’ purpose in undertaking conduct to the effects that conduct will have on competition. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made the announcement at a joint-party meeting