Stephen Brown

The state’s largest agricultural lobby group has reported its first operating surplus since 2010, which was largely attributable to a reduction in costs.

The federal government has deferred introduction of the so-called backpacker tax in a bid to rid the issue as an election irritant in rural and regional seats.

Western Australia’s hospitality and agricultural industries have welcomed the federal government’s decision to amend its planned backpacker tax, but the tourism body says it will cost the state jobs nevertheless.

The state’s agricultural body has welcomed the Commonwealth’s decision to reduce its planned backpacker tax to 15 per cent, less than half than what was originally proposed.

The federal government’s plan for a 15 per cent rate backpacker tax has been knocked down in the Senate, with the state’s farming body left furious and desperate for a solution.

A particularly stressful week for farmers has come to a relieving end with the Greens today supporting the federal government’s proposed 15 per cent backpacker tax after voting against it yesterday.

Legal appointments

Our weekly appointments wrap includes Tanya Moran, Tim Judd, Stephen Brown, Rob Gordon, Dermot Woods, Alan Rule, Steven Wood, Chloe Mason, Craig Carter, Michael Sucher, Gareth Reynolds, Mark Calderwood and Brock Neeling.