Palmer urges new PM to junk RSPT altogether
Mining magnate Clive Palmer called on new Prime Minister Julia Gillard to junk the much-debated resources super profits tax as he revealed that a fierce campaign by the mining industry against the proposed tax had ensured Kevin Rudd's eventual downfall.
Mr Palmer said that this is the first instance that an Australian prime minister was chased out of office by a civil campaign of anger as he urged Ms Gillard to "have a look when we first started this campaign where Mr Rudd was, and where he was at the end of it."
He said that the new leader must ensure that no resources rent tax in any form would be imposed on the mining industry so it could focus back in providing Australian with jobs.
The controversial tax measures was poised to collect up to $12 billion in its first two years of supposed implementation but its announcement triggered a steady decline on Mr Rudd's popularity following intense advertising campaign bankrolled by the mining industry.
In the subsequent events that followed, Ms Gillard replaced the becomingly unpopular Mr Rudd as prime minister during a Thursday leadership ballot while Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan was pushed up to be deputy prime minister.
In an apparent backpedalling by the Labour party, Ms Gillard made clear in her first press conference that the new government would now negotiate with the mining sector, instead of merely consulting it.
Still, Mr Palmer seemed unsatisfied by the turn of events as he voiced out concerns that Mr Swan still holds a position of power, stressing that the former treasury minister is the architect of the proposed RSPT.
A staunch Liberal party supporter, Mr Palmer is questioning if real change had indeed took place as he emphasised that the new prime minister's pronouncements on the tax proposal were far from being sufficient.
The Queensland billionaire said that Ms Gillard is merely echoing earlier sentiments aired by the ousted Mr Rudd as he stressed that no further questions should be raised in negotiating the terms of the RSPT, in the event it is actually implemented.
Mr Palmer said that he is objectionable to the idea that the mining industry should be taxed more heavily compared to other business activities as he stressed that "the new prime minister needs to accept that principle."