DAWSON MP George Christensen has vowed to quit parliament if the proposed backpacker tax goes ahead, promising farmers the tax increase is ‘definitely gone’.

Burdekin farmers and backpackers in the region have been concerned the proposed tax increase will return after being temporarily tabled by the federal government.

But Mr Christensen has promised the 32.5 per cent increase is ‘dead’ even threatening to quit government if the Liberal National Party (LNP) were to continue with the proposal.

The LNP announced they were tentatively ‘deferring’ the tax just last month, and would conduct a full review of the proposal until January 1 next year.

Mr Chistensen said this did not mean the increase would simply be delayed for six months, with a flat rate of 15-19 per cent most likely to be introduced.

“The 32.5 per cent backpacker tax is dead,” he said.

“It is buried, cremated, it is gone.

“I’ve been given clear commitments by the LNP ... it will never be seen again in it’s current form.

“If it does go ahead ... I would quit the government because that would be a broken promise from my party.”

Mr Chistensen said they would instead conduct a full review into current farm labour requirements including visas, tax rates and superannuation.

They would also review the current domestic labour opportunities for Australians.

“We are looking at the fact that communities have high unemployment rates yet labour needs are not met on farms,” he said.

“We really do need to be prodding on those who are unemployed to take up jobs.

“It’s a tough situation because on one hand you have the farmers who don’t want to give Australians a go, but on the other hand when farmers do give them a go they either don’t turn up to work or they don’t do the job properly.”

Australian Labor Party (ALP) candidate for Dawson Frank Gilbert said he agreed a review of the backpacker tax needed to be undertaken, but his main concern was for the unemployed Australian workers.

“I do believe the tax should be reviewed,” he said.

“But my biggest concern are the Australian workers who aren’t getting a fair go on the farms.

“We should be looking at ways to give locals a chance at these jobs as well.”

One local fruit and vegetable farmer, who wished to remain unnamed, said the Burdekin farmers would love to employ Australians but they don’t work hard enough.

“I’ve had a about five Aussies come looking for a job on my farm,” he said.

“They turn up with no shirts, no shoes ... they don’t take it seriously.

“We would love to employ Australians but we need to employ people who get the job done.”