Rowan Ramsey (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister assure the people of Whyalla that his great big new tax on mining will not jeopardise the Whyalla steelworks and the thousands of jobs it provides by artificially increasing the cost of magnetite?

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I say to the honourable member who asked the question that the Treasury, as I understand it, are in consultation with a range of businesses concerning the detailed implementation and transitional arrangements with the proposed RSPT. We are confident that, when it comes to the industries in the area he refers to, those consultations will be productive. We are very mindful of the implications as they relate to magnetite. We are very mindful of the implications as they relate to those employed in related industries. We intend to get on with the business of proper consultation with industry and make sure we bring about tax reform: beneficial tax reform in the form of small business tax cuts across the country, tax reform that brings down the company rate across the country, tax reform that delivers better super for all working Australians and tax reform which funds future infrastructure, including in communities like Whyalla.