The Morrison government has dumped a troubled biosecurity levy slated to raise $325 million to protect Australian agriculture.
The sea freight tax has been plagued by delays since being announced in the 2018 federal budget.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Agriculture Department said consultation showed the levy could not be implemented without damaging importers.
“A levy will not be progressed and this decision will not impact on the overall biosecurity budget,” the statement said.
“Australia’s biosecurity system will continue to be funded through existing arrangements.”
The onshore biosecurity levy was expected to pump $325 million over three years into government coffers to strengthen biosecurity at Australia’s borders.
