Backpackers needed to sustain Lockyer Valley fresh produce

KEEP BACKPACKERS: Qualipac Produce director Troy Qualischefski hopes the proposed backpackers tax won’t damage the industry in the Lockyer Valley.

Qualipac Produce director Troy Qualischefski hopes the proposed backpackers tax won't damage the industry in the Lockyer Valley. Photo Ali Kuchel / Gatton Star. Picture: Ali Kuchel

BACKPACKERS travelling to Australia are being scared off by a proposed new tax rate, according to National Farmers Federation Productivity Committee's Charlie Armstrong.

"Already, we are seeing signs that the proposed tax rate of 32.5 per cent is scaring working holiday-makers away from Australia," Mr Armstrong said.

He said each year backpackers contributed about $3.5 billion to the Australian economy and about 40,000 found employment on our farms.

"We cannot allow the current-lose-lose-lose situation where the backpackers stop coming, the growers and farmers are affected and the local rural economies are put in unnecessary jeopardy," Mr Armstrong said.

The Queensland Farmers Federation, along with the National Farmers Federation, has launched a national campaign encouraging the federal government not to proceed with the proposed backpacker tax.

The online petition is aimed at harnessing community support for a softening of changes to the way backpackers are taxed.

QFF president Stuart Armitage said the backpacker tax would affect industries and communities which relied on backpacker labour, especially during peak harvesting periods.

"Without labour to get the crop in and out of the ground, farmers will be under serious threat of losing their businesses," Mr Armitage said.

In its first week, the petition has gained more than 8000 signaturies.

Each year, Gatton College View farm Qualipac Produce hire more than 200 overseas backpackers to work on their farms.

Qualipac Produce director Troy Qualischefski said without backpackers, the horticulture industry "wouldn't survive".

"Whatever happens, we will have to work with the law," he said.

"I don't think it will deter the staff coming here."

He said while farmers wouldn't notice the effect on the number of backpackers travelling to Australia until later in the year, it was concerning if backpackers would be paying more tax than local workers.

"I don't think it would be fair on an international employee on a visa to pay more tax than an Australian Citizen," Mr Qualischefski said.