Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

As I have said, the Liberal and National parties decided to hand back the $11 billion-plus in revenue from the mining tax. Quite extraordinarily, as I have mentioned, the mining companies have agreed to pay this tax. I cannot recall a time in Australian history when a political party bidding for government has decided to hand back a tax that the companies have agreed to pay and at the same time increase tax on superannuation and increase tax on small business, at a time when these mining companies are making very, very significant—indeed, record—profits. Look at BHP's $23 billion net profit announced last month. It is no wonder these mining companies agree to pay increased tax, but it is so extraordinary that the Liberal and National parties want to hand back the $11 billion they have agreed to pay. They want to give it back to them and at the same time increase superannuation taxes and increase— (Time expired)