A hike in fees for tourists leaving Australia has made the nation’s passenger movement charge among the highest in the world, an expert says.
However, the raised fees have been a boon for Australian biosecurity funding.
An additional $47.1 million has been delivered to the biosecurity system after a change to the government’s fees and charges, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt revealed on Tuesday.
for the passenger movement charge since 1 July after the Commonwealth raised the fee to $70 in the 2023 federal budget.
This increase pays for a share of the costs for managing biosecurity risks at airports and cruise terminals.
A range of other importer fees have also grown after a 2023 review which found the costs of delivering biosecurity and imported food regulatory activity had grown and changes were necessary to fund the biosecurity system long-term.
“A strong biosecurity system protects our $84 billion agriculture industry, national economy and our way of life,” Mr Watt said.
“(As) risks continue to evolve, including in our region, a sustainably funded biosecurity system means we are better placed to meet the challenges of the future.”
The Tourism and Transport Forum Australia supports the enhanced biosecurity measures but its chief executive Margy Osmond says the passenger movement charge is now one of the highest in the world.
“This puts more pressure on the tourism industry by raising travel costs for both Australians and international visitors, which remain below pre-COVID levels,” she told AAP.
“We welcome part of this charge going towards protecting our biosecurity system, but the rest will go into consolidated revenue at a time when the sector is still facing significant challenges from rising living costs, skills shortages and a highly competitive global market.”
NSW Farmers, on the other hand, wholeheartedly welcomed the charges with its biosecurity committee chair Ian McColl calling for further solutions like a charge on import shipping containers.
“Continued biosecurity funding is essential — and on that we can all agree — but a greater level of cost needs to be borne by the risk creators,” Mr McColl said.
“Farmers have been left to carry a significant burden of the cost associated with managing biosecurity outbreaks.
“Looking at all the options available and developing better biosecurity solutions is essential if governments want to protect our borders and keep our communities safe from these biosecurity risks.”