This submission responds to the questions raised in the discussion paper and argues that the biosecurity levy charged on shipping imports proposed in the 2018 federal budget should proceed.
The arrival into Australia of cargo ships and their goods create significant biosecurity risks as new pests and diseases that can harm Australia’s economy, people and the environment. These significant costs are currently borne by the Australian community and environment. It is entirely appropriate that the importers of goods bear some of the costs for the biosecurity risk that they create.
Many of the issues raised in the discussion paper appear outside of the scope of the reference committee terms of reference.