abc.net.au/news/federal-budget-biosecurity-funding-boost/102326496The cost to import everything from vehicles to white goods and e-commerce parcels will rise as the federal government funds the biggest boost to biosecurity in decades.
"Years of biosecurity operations relying on stop gap, temporary funding injections, usually in response to imminent threats, are over." While the whole $10 increase will not go toward biosecurity, a greater proportion of the funds collected from this charge will. "We are also going to further explore the possibility of an import or container levy as well, but we need to make sure it is robust and will stand up legally."Primary producers as a whole are also being asked to pay a new levy from the middle of 2024 equating to around $47.5 million annually, or 6 per cent of the total funding, for biosecurity."This will be a new biosecurity protection levy that will be applied to domestic farmers, foresters, and fishers," Mr Watt said.
Cattle Australia chief executive Luke Bowen said increased costs of production would be passed on to consumers.