Government Schemes & Taxation
Issues
The cane growing industry has, in recent years, been obliged to approach government at both state and federal level for assistance due to temporary, adverse circumstances such as drought, flood and low price. The current federal government Sugar Industry Reform Package and state government assistance measures are the outcome of this approach. There is a need to monitor these programs and work with government to ensure that the result of the assistance is a self-reliant, dynamic, sustainable industry.
Other government schemes impact on cane growers, which also require management. These include the Exceptional Circumstances Scheme, the Energy Grants (Credit) Scheme and taxation arrangements.
Objective
- To ensure cane growers obtain fair access to appropriate assistance
- To maximise the quality and effectiveness of government funded assistance to cane growers
- To ensure that specific taxation measures that impinge on cane growers and rural producers are appropriate and fair
Policies
Sugar Industry Reform Program
- That CANEGROWERS be involved in ongoing negotiations with both State and Federal Governments to assist the sugar cane industry to achieve prosperity.
- That cane growers wishing to leave the industry should be assisted in such a way that they are able to exit with dignity.
Drought Relief
- CANEGROWERS should actively support an exceptional circumstance system based on independent growers, groups of growers or districts, able to trigger assistance for an exceptional circumstance.
Taxation
- That CANEGROWERS seek the introduction of an investment allowance to encourage the development of farm improvements to facilitate ongoing viability.
- That the expense for work carried out on soil conservation and drought mitigation to be eligible for 100% tax deductibility in the year of expenditure.
- That CANEGROWERS supports income equalisation schemes that allow growers to manage in times of reduced income.
Fuel Excise
- That CANEGROWERS supports the retention of the diesel fuel rebate to primary producers at the full rate of the diesel fuel excise.
- That CANEGROWERS supports the retention of the import parity pricing system for fuel.
