• Media Release

Biosecurity import levy must be overhauled

The Minerals Council of Australia urges the Federal Government to remove the biosecurity import levy from the Budget and to undertake a thorough consultation with industry.

The MCA supports the recommendation in the Biosecurity Levy Steering Committee’s report that the levy should be redesigned in consultation with industry and subjected to a regulation impact statement.

In its submission to the committee, the MCA affirmed that funding additional biosecurity measures by increasing the full import declaration consignment charge – managed by the Department of Home Affairs – would be more efficient and equitable than introducing a tonnage-based levy that does not target key biosecurity risks.

MCA members have world-class biosecurity systems that significantly reduce the quarantine risk associated with importing certain commodities.

The MCA opposes the biosecurity import levy in its current form because it would extend to all import and export vessels and erode Australia’s international competitiveness for no demonstrable biosecurity gains.

The levy would impose additional costs on the import of key inputs that are crucial to the ongoing success of the minerals industry, including fuel, chemicals, construction materials and mining equipment.

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