The Federal Budget has stung farmers and truck drivers with new taxes, as the ‘Heavy Vehicle Road User’ charge will increase from 27 to 32 cents and Australians will pay for new “biosecurity protections”. 

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt, told Ben Fordham that we “have to find a way” to pay for more biosecurity protections, as outside diseases are a risk to our agriculture sector.

“I think it’s fair enough to ask taxpayers and farmers to make a contribution to keep out diseases,” said Minister Watt.

“Obviously, we want to make sure that everyone chips in because we all benefit from strong biosecurity,” he said.

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