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CLIA Australasia fights ‘unjust’ cruise ship levy
Cruise Lines International Association Australasia has taken aim at an updated proposal to include cruise lines in a planned biosecurity imports levy.
When the Australian government announced the fee proposal last year, it was applicable only for sea freight but will now be applied to cruise lines as well from July.
The levy for arriving cruise ships will be based on a gross tonnage.
Australia’s department of agriculture and water resources expects the levy will raise about $120 million a year.
Joel Katz, CLIA Australasia and Asia managing director said there has been no consultation with the cruise industry.
"There is no justification for hitting cruise lines with charges originally designed for freight," Katz said.
"Travellers are already taxed heavily through measures like the passenger movement charge, which is already used to fund passenger-related biosecurity activities."
Katz says the passenger movement charge is one of the most expensive passenger taxes in the world.
CLIA Australasia is seeking support from the minister for trade, tourism and investment, Simon Birmingham to stop it.
"The costs for cruise lines operating in Australia are among the highest in the world, and any new charge will further disadvantage our industry," Katz said.
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