Miners reignite anti-tax campaign this week
Junior and mid-tier miners are set to launch this week their advertising campaign against the Gillard government's minerals resource rent tax (MRRT).
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) chief executive Simon Bennison has confirmed the group would begin a fresh advertising blitz against the revamped levy.
Fortescue Metals chief Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, a known critic of the revised tax, said he would be prepared to spend for the first time in a campaign. The mining tycoon had previously refused to finance ads against the now discarded resource super profits tax.
"If AMEC elects to go ahead with the ad campaign, Fortescue will support that in any way it can," a Fortescue spokesman said.
He added Mr Forrest would back the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) in "any of its initiatives to fight the tax".
AMEC, Mr Forrest and the QCCI all say they are furious for not being consulted about the MRRT.
QCCI president David Goodwin said the revised tax had already discouraged activity in the resource sector and its ancillary network.
"We're not happy with the whole process, the (lack of) transparency," Mr Goodwin said.
"There's a whole series of things that need to be looked at and changed.
"The design of this tax is not going to encourage industry, growth or employment, therefore ... we're not supporting it."
Mr Goodwin said the QCCI was determined to do "what it takes" to revise the MRRT including advertising blitz and soliciting assistance from Queensland's major businesspeople.