Australia’s media will distort govt’s Resource Super Profit Tax.

the Government has already produced modelling showing the RSPT coupled with the resources exploration rebate will actually increase jobs from the “business as usual” scenario……….

The lesson here isn’t so much that the mining industry is a pack of liars. It’s what the media does with the lies. ……..

Digging through the mining industry’s lies, Crikey, by Bernard Keane, 5 May 2010, Don’t believe a single word you read in the mainstream media from the mining industry about the impact of the Resource Super Profit Tax.

The mining industry routinely and systematically lies about government policy, with a long-running Chicken Little act about even the smallest policy changes that might affect it. And most of the media uncritically recirculate their lies, either because journalists aren’t sceptical and informed enough to subject their claims to analysis, or because they complement the smear campaigns run by the right-wing media.

Over the weeks and months ahead — for the Government has foolishly left open an extended consultation period in which to develop the RSPT with the states and mining companies — you’ll be able to see the miners crank up their lies. Watch for the predictions of job losses, reduced dividends and abandoned projects. Watch for the dodgy modelling from economic consultancies designed to back up the wild claims. But also watch for what they tell investors, because they tell the public one thing about how disastrous things will be and investors and the ASX quite another…….

the Government has already produced modelling showing the RSPT coupled with the resources exploration rebate will actually increase jobs from the “business as usual” scenario……….

The lesson here isn’t so much that the mining industry is a pack of liars. It’s what the media does with the lies. ……..
The Government will now be criticised for attacking the mining industry, which is dominated by vast multi-nationals generating billions of dollars. The absurd claims of the miners that they’ll move offshore — made even as Newcrest acquires Lihir in a $10 billion deal — will be taken seriously. Dire forecasts of job losses will be run with a straight face, despite previous claims being exposed as blatant falsehoods……… the media’s primary interest is in conflict and contest, rather than good policy outcomes.

Digging through the mining industry’s lies – Crikey