Gavin Pearce grilled at Fruit Growers Tasmania AGM

Members of Fruit Growers Tasmania grilled Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce at the organisation’s recent annual general meeting.

Questions posed to Minister Pearce included Tasmania’s payroll tax rate, set at 6.1 per cent for agriculture, compared to Victoria’s 1.2 per cent, and TT-Line freight rates.

“All credit to Gavin for turning up and talking about where things were at,” Fruit Growers Tasmania President Peter Cornish said.

“The growers were certainly very keen to ask him a range of questions which were focused on what positive difference the Tasmanian government is making for the fruit industry in the state.

“They wanted to know what the government would be doing to improve profitability and competitiveness in the fruit industry.”

Mr Cornish said one main concern was the discrepancy between Tasmania's payroll tax and that of the rest of Australia. 

Mr Cornish said fruit growers also raised costs of government services, particularly freight prices on TT-Line, at the meeting.

“They certainly don’t restrict freight rates – if anything, they do the opposite.

“TT-Line are generally the most expensive freight provider going across the Bass Strait.

“We question whether that’s an appropriate thing for a government-run business to have the highest rates.”

Mr Pearce thanked Fruit Growers Tasmania for having him at the AGM and the work they do for the state’s agricultural sector.

“We recognise the important contribution the sector makes, and our government continues to back our thriving fruit industry, with Fruit Growers Tasmania receiving more than $1 million in support through various initiatives including the Agricultural Development Fund and the Strategic Industry Partnership Program, alongside ongoing investment in their trade and industry growth initiatives,” he said.

“It was an important opportunity to have frank and fearless conversations with growers about some of the issues facing them, such as freight costs.

“I heard them loud and clear.

“The Federal Government need to step up, release its overdue review into the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, and provide a better deal for Tasmanians.”

The terms of reference said the federal government was due the final report and recommendations in the first half of 2026. 

The Commonwealth is still considering the report.

The incumbents filled all three positions up for renewal at the Fruit Growers AGM, with no one else nominating for the roles.

Sam Riggall and Nic Hansen were re-elected to the board as stonefruit representatives, and Andrew Scott was elected as a pomefruit representative.