The peak industry body added that it is relieved that a number of parties and politicians have come together to reach a deal, which effectively ends the eighteen-month saga that has significantly dented confidence in Australia as a backpacker destination.

“This outcome means that after eighteen months of confusion and uncertainty, Australian growers can now finally move forward with certainty about the future of the working holiday maker program,” said AUSVEG CEO, Simon Bolles. “We are incredibly pleased to see this compromise finally rule out the damaging 32.5 percent tax rate that threatened our industry.”

“While we welcome the bipartisanship which has brought us this compromise deal, the treatment of this issue should serve as an example of the need to ensure industry is involved in policy development from start to finish.”

“The treatment of the backpacker tax issue is an indictment on our current Parliament, with growers seen to be held to ransom by political games until the last sitting day of the year.”

“This must never happen again”, Bolles said. “The farmers and growers of Australia deserve better.”