Senator Susan McDonald
Shadow Minister for Resources
Shadow Minister for Northern Australia
Senator for Queensland
Jamie Chaffey
Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources
Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Development. Local Government & Territories
Federal Member for Parkes
Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald has called on the Greens to explain the economic rationale behind their recent claim that Australia’s resources sector is undertaxed by $45 billion a year.
“Forty-five billion dollars is an extraordinary amount of money. The Greens are treating it as revenue sitting in a bank account waiting to be collected, but really it’s just another example of stoking public opinion against fossil fuels and mining in general,” Senator McDonald said.
“Australia’s resources sector makes a substantial contribution through company tax, royalties, employment, exports and investment in regional communities.
“Any proposal to extract billions more from the industry creates real risks of reduced investment, lower jobs and companies just exiting the country altogether.
“Once again we see the Greens promoting ideas that sound good but which will have devastating impacts on our economy and our national prosperity.
“The Greens can pluck a number from a report by a special interest group but they should explain how their proposal would affect the regional communities that depend on mining and gas operations for their livelihoods.
“Australia needs a competitive resources sector that continues to invest, employ Australians and contribute to government revenue.
“The Coalition’s approach is to expand mining, restore our international reputation for investment and use Australian resources for Australians.”
Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources and Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey MP said the Greens were spreading misinformation and downplaying the huge contribution the resources sector makes to the Australian economy.
“The Australian resources industry directly employs more than 300,000 people and has paid more than $430 billion in company tax and royalties in the past 10 years,” Mr Chaffey said.
“That is money that goes into the budget to fund services for health services, to help aged people and people who are living with disabilities. It goes into education, transport and roads, and law enforcement and community safety.
“We cannot tax this important industry right out of the country. Who is going to pick up the pieces and make up that $430 billion shortfall? I can guarantee it will not be the Greens.”
ENDS
Media Contact
Julian Tomlinson – julian.tomlinson@aph.gov.au – 0421 059 187
(Jamie Chaffey) Marie Low – marie.low@aph.gov.au – 0491 940 108