Crook stands firm against Mining Tax

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 01-November-2011

Nationals WA Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook MP has reiterated his opposition to the Gillard Government’s Minerals Resource Rent Tax (Mining Tax) in Parliament yesterday.

Mr Crook said the Mining Tax would damage regional communities, harm Australia’s economy, and disadvantage small and developing resources companies.

“I have consistently stated that I do not support a Commonwealth Mining Tax, and I will be voting against the Mining Tax when it comes before the floor of this Parliament.”

Mr Crook also levelled criticism at the Gillard Government for conducting secret negotiations with the Big Three - Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, and Xstrata - as part of the design of the Mining Tax.

“The Big Three are multi-nationals with numerous projects which post profits of tens of billions of dollars each year,” Mr Crook said.

“Excluded from the Mining Tax negotiations were more than 320 smaller mining companies who compete in the same global market as the Big Three.

“Also excluded were the State and Territory Governments – including the Governments of Western Australia and Queensland, where most of our nations mineral wealth is found.”

Mr Crook called on the Federal Government to scrap the Mining Tax in the best interests of the nation.

“I implore the Gillard Government to listen to the industry and listen to the people and scrap this tax.”

Mr Crook said the resources industry was a strong supporter of regional Australian development.

“These companies employ, train and up-skill many of my constituents. Further, these mining companies, more than any other industry, continually make valuable and voluntary contributions to the community – through provision of infrastructure, funding of charitable projects and sponsorship of local events.”

Mr Crook also criticised the allocation of revenue raised through the Mining Tax.

“Rather than invest the funding back into regional Australia, out of the first billion dollars raised from this tax, more than 50 per cent will be spent on upgrading metropolitan roads, metropolitan freeways and metropolitan bridges as part of Perth’s Gateway WA project.”

“This Mining Tax is bad for industry, bad for Western Australia, and bad for the people of O’Connor.

“It is grossly unfair for the smaller and emerging miners, and grossly unfair for every mining company excluded from the Gillard Government’s secret negotiations with the Big Three.”

See this article on the member's website