Australia's Treasury chief Ken Henry has called on all economists and tax experts to lay down their guns and focus on the current proposals such as the resources super profits tax.

During a conference in Sydney yesterday, Mr. Henry said it was frustrating for people to advise government on the controversy that economists are having a hard time coming up with a consensus on the matter.

''Whenever an idea is ventured publicly by a person, whether that person is a policy adviser or whether it's a government minister, there's at least a handful of academics who will contest it,'' he said.

''I've seen it on both sides of politics - this is not a partisan comment at all. But for governments, government ministers who are seeking to get ideas legislated, it is unbelievably frustrating, incredibly frustrating.”

Mr. Henry's statement follows statements made yesterday by mining group Xstrata and the West Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy, saying an economic research showed that the tax will harm Australia.

Mr. Henry also commented that the government is not showing signs of backing out of the proposed resources tax.

''I haven't myself come to the view that this particular reform proposal has dim prospects. I do not see it that way yet at all. The tax is not due to start for two years.”

The Treasury Secretary said he was not surprised by the mining industry's campaign against the tax.

'It is tough to convince a wary public - tougher still a cynical media. And virtually impossible - in Australia at least - to secure political consensus on any tax proposal other than a straightforward cut.''