Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I do not think it is a serious question. Obviously COAG meetings will be scheduled in accordance with normal practice by the Commonwealth and state governments to pursue those agendas. I am not sure whether mining taxes will be on the agenda. I suspect not, although I am sure they will be keen to hear from Mr Barnett, the Premier of Western Australia, about his tax grab of $300 million extra in mining royalties—his big new tax on mining companies which he has announced. So, yes, we might want to have a chat about that because he has embarrassed Mr Abbott by saying that he thinks mining companies ought to pay $300 million only in Western Australia in increased royalties—his big new tax on mining companies.