TasFarmers leads the fight for fair freight: Coalition backs industry-driven reform

Tasmania’s peak industry body TasFarmers, today welcomes the Coalition’s commitment to addressing the state’s critical freight challenges facing the agricultural sector. Announced ahead of the federal election, this policy provides much-needed confidence to an industry that depends on a strong import and export network to drive growth and prosperity.

TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said the Coalition’s proposed reforms to the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) will directly address the real needs of the state’s farmers and the broader agricultural sector.

“We have been advocating for the entire state and representing the whole agricultural sector, today’s announcement addresses immediate and long-term industry needs,” Mr Calman said.

“The changes we’ve been pushing for cover both imports and exports, ensuring fresh produce exporters and those importing essential supplies like grain for stock feed will see significant benefits.

“This also includes long-overdue support for King and Flinders Islands, which have been overlooked by other industry groups in the state,” Mr Calman said.

With the possibility of a hung parliament, Mr Calman stressed the need for bipartisan backing, warning that Tasmania’s agricultural sector cannot afford policy uncertainty when it comes to fixing TFES and the state’s freight problems. 

“It’s good policy; a positive step, and we now call on the Labor Party to show their cards and either match or better this commitment. We will continue to press for bipartisan back on this issue to ensure long-term and practical outcomes.

“We’ll continue to engage with policymakers to ensure Tasmania Farmers are a priority in the lead-up to the election,” he said.