Paul Neville (Hinkler, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

That is a good question. It is anticipated that having that time to phase in this system and having the effects of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park RAP ameliorated, ensuring the fishermen get their compensation package and their adjusted vessels back into new fisheries and the like, they will have two years to prepare for this and make cash flow arrangements. So it was a good question and I am happy to answer it.

While I was in favour of the continuation of the existing system for fishermen because of this unique situation, I welcome the measure and thank the government for at least taking on board the concerns of commercial fishermen, farmers and owner-operators of other primary production areas who signal their concern about changing to the BAS system with regard to their tax. Businesses will need to report their fuel tax credit entitlements for the relevant tax period on the BAS but, in the meantime, during the phase-in period the impact will be minimised and they will have some financial room to move.

While not the ideal solution, I consider it a fair solution to a problem facing many of our primary producers. When you consider this in combination with the wider arc of this legislation, when fully implemented it will wipe $1.5 billion off the fuel bills of off-road users over the next six years and that will be significant to those sorts of people. When the legislation comes into full effect, fuel tax will be effectively applied only to fuel used in private vehicles and for certain private purposes and to fuel used on road in light vehicles for business purposes. In fact, it is estimated that the number of businesses and individuals eligible to claim fuel tax relief will rise from around $185,000 to $1.2 million. The point I make is that there have been some tough measures in this legislation and they have not all been what I would like for my people. But, if you take the totality of this package, quite apart from having—

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