WA premier hoping for Qld support against mining tax

21-03-2012

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett says he would welcome support from Queensland against the federal government's mining tax, if there was a change of government in the state on the weekend.

Barnett says Western Australia would support a High Court challenge against the minerals resource rent tax (MRRT) if a challenge was mounted by Fortescue Metals Group.

The groups chairman Andrew Forrest is considering mounting a challenge, on the grounds that the tax is unconstitutional.

If Queensland Liberal leader Campbell Newman is elected the state's new premier on Saturday, Barnett indicated he would be interested in joining forces with Newman to fight against the tax.

"If the Queensland government chose to become involved, we would welcome that," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

He had not yet spoken to Newman about the possibility.

"Obviously it would add to the case," he said.

The MRRT, which passed the Senate on Monday night, will tax the super profits of iron ore and coal miners at a rate of 30 per cent.

Two thirds of the Australian mining industry is located in Western Australia.

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