Backpacker tax bill put on hold

Treasurer Scott Morrison says the backpacker tax bill won't be brought back to the Senate until agreement can be reached on a 15 per cent rate.

Treasurer Scott Morrison

Scott Morrison says the backpacker tax bill won't be brought back to the Senate for another vote. (AAP)

The federal government says it won't bring on the backpacker tax bill for another vote in the Senate until it can get a "clear commitment" it will pass at a rate of 15 per cent.

Treasurer Scott Morrison said the government remained one vote short of a majority for the compromise, which was originally to be 32.5 per cent but modified to 19 per cent and then 15 per cent after consultation.

"Unless we can get a clear commitment on 15 per cent then the bill will remain in the house" he said.

Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm said he would support the 15 per cent rate when it came to a vote.

Senator Leyonhjelm told AAP he had negotiated with the treasurer for the list of farmers and tourism operators who hire backpackers not to be published on the Australian business register.

He said he had concerns the list could be misused.

It is also understood the tax office would be prevented from sharing individual taxpayer details with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Crossbench senator Derryn Hinch, who voted against the government on its rate, shifted his position later saying he'd support an alternative between 10.5 and 15 per cent.

He categorically ruled out backing the government's 15 per cent if it came to another vote.

"They can come back to me with another idea - if they come up with another figure I'll have a look at it," he told AAP.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world