Australian export industries have been left in the lurch following the government’s axing of the 40 per cent AQIS export service inspection rebate, Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said today.
On 1 July 2011 the AQIS export service inspection rebate ceased, and the promised reforms and efficiencies promised by the Gillard government have not been delivered.
Local businesses such as Midfield Meats based in Warrnambool will now face a 60 per cent increase in government fees, an untenable prospect.
Mr Tehan says this failure to deliver reform and the subsequent impact on local businesses such as Midfield Meats, is why he is seconding a motion with Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, John Cobb, to call for an inquiry into AQIS fees and charges and the so-called reforms.
“This government has once again failed to deliver on its promise, and as a result I will be seconding the introduction of a Notice of Motion to the Parliament calling on the government to keep the AQIS export service rebate in place until they uphold their side of the bargain,” Mr Tehan said.
In exchange for axing the 40 per cent AQIS export service inspection rebate in 2009, the former Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, announced he would offer the industry a $127.4 million Export Certification Reform Package to fund efficiency reforms.
To date there has been no independent study on the legitimate costs of inspections to the government and none of the promised reforms and efficiencies have been delivered.
“As of 1 July 2011 all industries involved are facing increased costs and with the removal of the rebate the industries will have no choice but to either absorb or pass these costs on.”
The Motion will require the government to outline the completion of reforms and efficiencies before industries are required to pay extra fees and charges.
It is quite clear, if AQIS can’t find the promised efficiencies the government should maintain the 40 per cent contribution to inspection costs.
“In the Gillard government’s year of decision and delivery all we have seen is the introduction of increased costs and taxes,” Mr Tehan said.
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