Brett Otto joins National Party leader in opposing federal levy on struggling farmers

A controversial new levy which will soon hit the South Burnett’s farmers has sparked outrage from political leaders. Find out why.

The South Burnett Mayor and the Member for Maranoa have joined forces to oppose a levy set to hit farmers in coming months.

Leaders at a key regional Queensland farming community fear struggling farmers are being unfairly targeted in a new federal government levy.

South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Brett Otto and Maranoa MP David Littleproud have criticised the federal government’s recent decision to impose a levy on farmers to fund biosecurity.

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“It is another impost on struggling farmers,” Mr Otto said.

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“We certainly do need much more investment in biosecurity from both state and federal governments, however not at the expense of our farmers.”

A South Burnett Regional Council spokesman said council allocates $1m of its annual budget for biosecurity to help protect prime agricultural land.

Mr Otto and Mr Littleproud questioned why the government would tax farmers to “pay for foreigners to bring their products into this country”.

Mr Otto said instead there should be an “importer container levy”.

“Importers of foreign products should pay for the biosecurity risk they pose, not Australian farmers,” Mr Otto said.

The 2023-24 federal budget revealed a levy would be introduced on producers equivalent to 10 per cent of their 2020-21 levy rates.

Mr Otto said producers of grass-fed cattle will pay an extra 50 cents per head and a cotton producer will pay an extra 22.5 cents per 227kg bale, on top of their current levy payments.

Mr Otto said producers of grass-fed cattle will pay an extra 50 cents per head.

Mr Otto supported increased investment in biosecurity but said it should not come at the expense of farmers.

Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt said the change required farmers to make a modest contribution.

“I think what we need to think about is the cost that we would face if we were to have a biosecurity outbreak,” Mr Watt said.

“That would cost producers and consumers a lot more than what we’re asking people to pay here.

“Importers are some of the biggest creators of risk of biosecurity coming into the country, they should pay their fair share and that’s why we’re going to be increasing charges on them from the 1st of July.”

A Department of Biosecurity spokesman said primary producers benefit considerably from the current biosecurity status.

“The levy seeks a modest six per cent contribution toward the cost of the Commonwealth biosecurity effort to prevent pests and diseases entering Australia, which supports this outcome,” a spokesman said.

“Industry groups will be able to consider the impact of this levy on their producers relative to current industry-led levies in place, with a view to making adjustments if this is deemed necessary.”