Growcom’s new Chairman, Les Williams, said that there was now only one parliamentary sitting week remaining this year for a tax rate to be negotiated and agreed on by all parties before the draconian 32.5 per cent tax rate was foisted on backpackers on 1 January.

"It is deeply disappointing that all parties are putting their own political gain before the geuine interests of the agriculture and tourism industries," he said. "Growers don't care who started it, they only care that for the past eighteen months no one has actually managed to get an agreed rate across the line, which reflects badly on the government and badly on the Senate.

“Time is running out. Our utmost desire is for all parties to remember the horticultural industry’s dependence on backpacker labour and to get together to determine a rate that will ensure Australia remains competitive with other overseas nations as a working holiday destination.

“However, on the balance of the evidence of political manoeuvrings we have witnessed in recent days, we now have no confidence the parties will be able to negotiate a competitive rate, leaving the 32.5 per cent tax rate to cross the line on 1 January. 

“This is a disgraceful political shambles of the highest order.”