Mining tax hit Labor at polls: miners

Voter concern over the government's controversial mining tax was reflected at the
polls and sends a message to Labor, mining industry advocates say.
Junior and mid-tier mining companies in particular vehemently oppose the
government's proposed mineral resources rent tax (MRRT) and mounted an advertising
campaign against it.
The final election result remains unclear following an extremely close poll on
Saturday.
Association of Mining and Exploration companies (AMEC) chief executive Simon
Bennison said on Sunday the election had sent a clear message to the government.
"We are obviously very pleased to see at least the Australian public has expressed
concern with the policies of the current government.
"How much of that is the mining tax we will never know precisely," Mr Bennison said.
"But I think there's a clear message going back to the government that there's a
number of unhappy people out there, and the policies need to be reviewed should they
be re-elected."
Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia chief executive Reg Howard-Smith
said the significant swing against Labor in Queensland and WA could in part be
attributed to community concern about the tax.
The industry had suffered in recent months from the uncertainty created by the
proposed tax and it was crucial the new government delivered stability to the
sector, he said.
"We urge the parties and MPs who eventually form government to consider the adverse
impact of a new tax on the sector's long-term growth."
Maintaining the industry's international competitiveness was critical in ensuring
continued investment, Mr Howard-Smith said.



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