Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I again thank Senator Eggleston. Mining contributes about 10 per cent of our gross domestic product, directly employs around 270,000 Australians and supports the work and incomes of another 800,000. At the very best, this mining tax has raised about $400 million. As I said before, having said it would raise $4 billion in year 1, and $6 billion in year 2—that is, about $20 per Australian—over $700 per person has been linked to expenditure over the next four years for the non-existent mining tax income.

My message to the people of Western Australia is a very clear message. There is the senator on my left, the senator on my right, candidates such as Linda Reynolds and Slade Brockman and some of the Nationals candidates I have not met, so I say to the people of Western Australia: you look at 1.58 today and you make a decision on who should or should not be re-elected. (Time expired)