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Industry blasts tax grab proposal
Peak national industry body Tourism & Transport Forum has criticised a proposed tax grab to provide overseas consular services for Australians.
Lowy Institute has proposed a levy on the cost of a passport or airline ticket to provide better consular services for Australian overseas.
TTF acting chief executive Trent Zimmerman said travellers already pay enough to cover these expenses.
"Tourism is being hit from all sides with a barrage of taxes and charges including a new airport police tax and increases to skilled graduate and working holiday maker visa fees.
"The sector already contributes enough to cover any additional spending on consular assistance for Australian overseas."
Zimmerman said the surge in the number of Australians travelling overseas has also been accompanied by a surge in government revenues thanks to passport fees and the passenger movement charge.
"Passenger movement charge (PMC) revenue from Australians travelling overseas has trebled over the last 10 years, from around $125 million in 2002 to $400 million last year.
"Add in international visitors to Australia, and the PMC will collect $794 million in the current financial year, increasing by 30% to over $1 billion in 2015-16."
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