Australia’s national organisations in favour of super profit resources tax

It’s wrong for billionaires to hijack this debate and hold the country to ransom with their $100 million scare campaign.”

Australia needs a robust tax system with fair and efficient taxation of mining super profits The Australian June 14, 2010 A JOINT statement by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Australian Council of Social Service, Australian Conservation Foundation and the Consumers’ Federation of Australia.

NATIONAL organisations representing social and community sector, unions, environmental and consumer groups have called for the voices of ordinary Australians to be heard in a tax debate that has been dominated by powerful vested mining interests.

Reform of mining tax is a key recommendation from the Henry Report to strengthen the tax system and meet the challenges of tomorrow’s Australia, including population ageing, climate change, and social infrastructure.

This is essential to improve the fairness and efficiency of Australia’s tax system and strengthen the national economy.

Australian and State and Territory Governments must make better use of the fairest and least economically harmful taxes. A resource profits tax is a major first step in that direction.

The strong demand for our resource exports has sent resource prices soaring and delivered windfall profit gains to the big mining companies.

There is both need and capacity to raise more tax revenue from this boom, and to use it to build a stronger, more sustainable economy and a fairer Australian society.

Fair and efficient taxation of Australia’s natural resources is critical if all Australians are to obtain lasting benefits from the nation’s mineral wealth……….

ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said:

“These reforms will benefit all Australians and they should have a say in this debate, not just mining executives. It’s wrong for billionaires to hijack this debate and hold the country to ransom with their $100 million scare campaign.”

Australia needs a robust tax system with fair and efficient taxation of mining super profits | The Australian