Greens bribed to support backpacker tax

The Government has spent $100 million of taxpayers money in bribing the Australian Greens to wave through its backpacker tax legislation in the Senate.In a press release yesterday, the Greens said: "Farmers will now enjoy certainty that they can operate over the busy summer period – no longer will their fruit wither and die on the vine". "At the same time, we have secured a big victory for our environment, with the Government pledging $100 million for Landcare." What complete and utter Bull...... Very few backpackers will pay any tax (whatever the rate) because most work on a cash basis. The backpackers and farmers like it that way - no paperwork. So the Government has offered an extra $100 million of taxpayers money to throw at a system which has long been discredited. Landcare is more of a job-creation scheme than a program to improve environmental outcomes. There is a fully funded national Landcare office, fully equipped and funded State landcare offices in each State, regional Landcare offices (often as part of Catchment Management Authorities and then regional landcare networks - all with paid staff before funds reach volunteer landcare groups who actually undertake on-ground work. Most of the money is spent on salaried positions, vehicles and offices with probably less than 10% spent on activities with measureable environmental outcomes.

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