Nationals candidate for Murray-Wellington Paul Gillett has defended his party against what he calls “unfounded and misrepresented” attacks from mining corporations, especially in terms of the National’s proposed increase to the minerals levy.
Mining companies have funded a series of print and TV advertisements, purporting any increase in royalties taxes on minerals in WA would be destructive to the economy.
But Mr Gillett rebukes those claims, saying the mining industry has flipped the intention of the Nationals.
“The miners have been saying, and will continue to say, that our plan is to slap on this huge tax and suck the energy out of the industry,” he said.
“It’s not true. what we are proposing is an increase to the lease rental – a rate which has not been increased since the 1960’s – to better match the current economy.
“But there is a lot of misinformation out there at the moment. To increase it to $5 a tonne, realistically, is bringing it into line with today’s society.
“It’s also certainly well known that the State’s finances are in a disastrous state, in a manner of speaking. The Nationals are proposing ideas that will work to begin fixing this.”
Mr Gillett said promoting the mining tax has become a priority for the party, as it could potentially support Nationals initiatives such as Royalties for Regions.
“Murray itself is a great example of how successful Royalties for Regions has been in regional WA,” Mr Gillett said.
“Projects that may have hit a dead end previously are now off the ground.”
Chamber of Minerals and Energy chief executive Reg Howard-Smith said the tax was being opposed by people working in the mining industry.
“Western Australian families and businesses are smart and understand that when mining does well WA does well,” he said.
“It means more jobs, business opportunities and investment for WA so we all benefit. We should not put that at risk with a new job-destroying tax.
“While some attack companies for their success most people understand that success benefits the WA economy and creates more work for locally owned small and medium businesses in the state.”