Now give tourism a treat, urges TTF
Peak national body, Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has attacked the Australian government’s passenger movement charge (PMC), claiming, "this tax will over-collect by AUD560 million this financial year alone".
TTF director, aviation policy, Justin Wastnage said, "The PMC must be reconfigured as a genuine user charge for border services if Australia is to remain a competitive tourism destination."
He said the PMC was being used as a revenue raiser "and this industry is feeling the effects, especially from its short haul markets. The PMC went up to AUD55 from July 1, and arrivals from New Zealand fell 4.5% that month".
The TTF statement follows a government decision to exempt low risk products such as commercially prepared packaged food from declaration at the border.
TTF said the move would be welcomed by international visitors, "who are often surprised at the severity of existing quarantine rules".
Wastnage said the decision marks the successful move from mandatory screening to a risk-based approach, which will see visitors processed more quickly.
"The last thing we want is for visitors to be held up in frustrating, long biosecurity clearance queues for their chocolate bars and favourite food from home," he said.
TTF said with both Customs and Quarantine moving to a risk-based approach to processing, "each agency is more efficient, so the funds needed to support their services have decreased, yet the tax (PMC) has gone up".
Ian Jarrett
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