THERE is an important lesson to be learned from the backpacker tax saga, according to Apple & Pear Growers Association of SA chief executive officer Susie Green.
With a 15 per cent tax on working holidaymakers finalised after an 18-month roller-coaster of tax proposals, Ms Green said consultation remained key.
“If there’s policy relating to agriculture, there should be sensible consultation right from the word go so we don’t end up in this position again,” she said.
Ms Green said industry was “relieved” a compromise had been reached and was hopeful there would be little impact on labour supply.
“The cherry crop is a fairly light crop so we don’t have as much demand (for workers) as we might normally have,” she said.
“We’re hoping there’ll still be enough workers about.”
