Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

A stream of consciousness? Perhaps a little bit theatrical, but I find it hard to discern what question I am supposed to answer. If the senator is so concerned about the mining industry, which I think was part of his question, I invite him to consider Rio Tinto's comments about the Queensland government's decision:

We are shocked, surprised and very disappointed by the size of the royalty increase … [which] will further endanger jobs and investment in the coal industry.

I invite the senator to consider the Queensland Resources Council's statement:

It will mean job losses. It risks further mine closures and there are many coal projects on the drawing board that will now never get off that drawing board.

I invite him to consider those issues when he next wants to speak about the taxation of mining. (Time expired)