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Category: Mining Industry / Tax / Political Parties / State Parliament

Redman noncommittal on mining tax plan

Wednesday, 17 Aug 2016 16:25:32 | Jacob Kagi

Giant mining truck carries ore in the Pilbara. April, 2014. (ABC News)

A week after Terry Redman was replaced as WA Nationals leader he has refused to be drawn on whether he thinks his party's proposed tax increase on major iron ore miners would be good for the state's regions.

Asked twice in State Parliament if he thought new Nationals leader Brendon Grylls' proposed 20-fold increase in the iron ore production levy imposed on the major miners would be good for regional WA, Mr Redman did not directly address the question.

Mr Redman stepped down as leader last week following two marathon meetings in which the partyroom backed Mr Grylls to return to the leadership and gave support to his proposed $5 per tonne production levy on BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

After the leadership switch, Mr Redman gave his backing to the policies his party had adopted, saying "he absolutely supports Brendon Grylls and the path we're taking".

But asked by Labor leader Mark McGowan if the policy would "be good for and create jobs in the regions", Mr Redman did not respond specifically.

"This Government has stood on an incredible record investment in regional WA and we will continue to do so," Mr Redman told Parliament.

"I know the National Party will continue delivering to regional WA and that's what we will be taking to the next election."

Despite the leadership change, Mr Redman kept his position as Regional Development Minister.

Mr Grylls' proposal has been heavily criticised by elements of the business community and senior Liberals, with Premier Colin Barnett saying it would not be adopted.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Sean L'Estrange has also said the proposal had come at the worst possible time and "could not work".

Labor's Mines and Petroleum spokesman Bill Johnston said Mr Redman's answer highlighted the disunity within the Government.

"It just shows the chaos and dysfunction inside the Government of Western Australia that even the National Party cannot agree with itself," he said.

AustraliaPlus


 

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