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

I thank Senator Abetz for the question. As Senator Abetz and all other senators understand, the government has proposed a tax on super profits in the mining industry. That has been the subject of great public debate and is currently the subject of a consultative process with the mining industry regarding implementation of those new taxation arrangements. It is the case that the Labor government believe that we should get a fairer share from our non-renewable resources, which of course can only be dug up once. We think it is appropriate that mining companies pay a greater share of tax on the profits they make from the use of those Australian resources. But it is also the case that the new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, made it clear in her opening remarks at the press conference following her election that she was very keen to open the door to the mining industry and asked the mining companies to open their minds. She, if you like, laid down an olive branch in terms of the debate between the government and the industry. As a sign of goodwill, the government is taking action today to cease its information campaign as soon as possible. The Prime Minister, Ms Gillard, also asked that the mining companies cease their campaign, also as a sign of goodwill. I understand from news reports that I have recently seen that BHP have indicated that they will be suspending their ad campaign as an act of goodwill, so I think that is a positive development. I thank BHP for their indication, and I am sure the Prime Minister will engage constructively with the mining industry in these negotiations.