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Minutes of the first meeting of the Rich Bastards’ Union

Peter Lewis

by Peter Lewis

15 Jun 05:45am

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Filed under: Kevin Rudd, Mining Tax, Politics, Satire, Twiggy Forrest

66 comments

Congratulations to all comrades who attended the official launch of the Rich Bastards Union (RBU) at our official launch in Perth last week.

The glorious leader. Pic: File

It was inspiring to see so many of you prepared to join together and protect the billions you have worked so hard to earn. The message to the Prime Minister could not have been clearer – keep your grubby hands of our minerals!

It was also heart-warming to see the support that so many ordinary millionaires offered as we take this principled stand for the fundamental right to make a fortune digging up bits of Australia and shipping it off to the highest bidder.

But as any revolutionary will tell you, a single rally is not enough, we need to get organised and create the structures that will allow us to defend our rights for the long-term.

RBU Platform:
What’s theirs is ours – convincing governments that if you own the company that digs it up, it’s yours. 

Union Rules:
No Billion, No Start: to keep the union strong, we need to be prepared to protect our turf.

Elected Officials
Union Secretary – Twiggy Forest – (unopposed) showed he is prepared to walk the walk and talk the talk. Dressing in fatigues was a nice touch, RBU agreed to chip in to cover the dry cleaning and pressing.

Health and Safety Officer – Clive Palmer – showed he is prepared to down tools over any risk to his operations and showed a good use of creative interpretation of some of the industry safety regulations.

Treasurer – Marius Kloppers – we know the money is going to be tight, but it is also true that the first hundred million is always the biggest challenge, so

Industrial Officer – Mick Davis from Xstrata – Mick’s not a local but it was great to see him take some pre-emptive action by cutting 3250 jobs before they actually existed this week. This sort of fast action is essential in all industrial disputes.

Environment Officer – Tom Albanese from Rio Tinto joins the executive with a wealth of experience. 

Organiser – John Singleton – it’s been good to see Singo step up and help us organise outside the mines, into the members’ enclosure at the AJC. The pamphlets he is working on should be good at causing fresh stinks in other industries.

Communications Officer – Position being contested by a number of comrades in media - ballot deferred to next meeting.

Correspondence

Thanks to the words of support from Comrade Harvey from the shop-owners union – power to the little guys, Gerry!

Campaign Ideas – Comrades were full of innovative ideas to keep our issues on the public radar.

  • Walk a day in my Shoes – Gina Reinhardt has kindly volunteerd to allow politicians to spend a day with her, she is just working out the right shoes to wear.
  • The “Walk for Wealth”–  a grassroots action from Twiggy’s office to the Stock Exchange in Perth, with all CEOs invited to down tools and join us.
  • The Mining Tax 40-hour Feast – you try eating what millionaires have to eat for 48 hours – Clive has volunteered to organise this event.
  • Establish an annual scholarship (to show we can reach out to the community). The Rose Porteous Annual Award for the person who can make the most out of Australia’s riches without lifting a finger.
  • Campaign website: www.mineminemine.org.au. Features interactive game ‘dig it’ where RBU members compete to claim large tracts of Australia. Each level poses a new threat: union collective agreements, environmental regulations, tax reform. Players get the ‘energy’ to defeat these threats by bumping off community activists and buying up local football teams.

Next Meeting:

Comrade Abbot from the RBU’s political wing has offered to open up his office to the next meetings and kindly allowed us to write our own agenda for the occasion.

Draft Agenda Items:
- Bring back WorkChoices
- Killing off ETS for good
- Talk series: Act local, think global: what can we learn from international mining magnates? Focus on Colombia

Most commented

431Australia, you have nothing to fear but fear itself
390There's no one Thomson won't burn to save his skin
336Animal experiments won't cure me from cancer
313Thomson didn't answer the question everyone is asking
266Who murdered the Arts degree?
246A big day for Thomson, who thus far is guilty of nothing...
231Craig Thomson speaks. Meanwhile, in Australia...
231South Australia. It's the middle bottom bit.

66 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • Eric says:

      05:50am | 15/06/10

      How droll.

      On a serious note, the recent discovery of huge mineral deposits in Afghanistan may well put the last nail in the coffin of Rudd’s Stupid Pointless Tax. If China and others can get the materials they need closer to home, why would they buy our expensive, tax-inflated ores?

      Reply

    • John A Neve says:

      08:02am | 15/06/10

      Eric,

      Just tell us why you thought the USSR and America were willing to pour mega bucks and manpower into Afghanistan?

      Just how green can you be Eric?

    • Harriet says:

      09:03am | 15/06/10

      And no sovereign risk in Afghanistan!

    • Just Love It says:

      09:19am | 15/06/10

      Yes, why indeed.

      Everyone knows that Afghanistan is a stable democracy and there should be no suprisises setting up operations there. They are assured of a smooth transition into this new capitalist paradise thanks to the might of Uncle Sam.

      They can simply ship their machines from Australia to Afghanistan. It’s easy sailing things around the world. Just ask Jessica Watson.

      This was a very funny article highlighting the lunacy and greed of the mining industry.

    • Tim says:

      09:25am | 15/06/10

      Hahaha,
      Afghanistan?
      I don’t know Eric, I hear that there has been a bit of local strife going on over there.

    • shabangabang says:

      10:14am | 15/06/10

      Perhaps thats why Bin Laden has been digging all those caves; mineral exploration. But honestly, did you think the USA were going to invade a country without resources? First it was Oil in Iraq, now Afghanistan is set to become the ‘Saudi Arabia of Lithium’, or so says the NYT.

    • Evan Findlay says:

      10:26am | 15/06/10

      Get a life Eric, absolutely hilarious.
      And on the topic of Afghanistan Eric, how do you think Tom Albanese will go in talks with the Taliban? Will the war just carry on around these mining operations? And what a perfect target for the Talibans to hit. Nothing says western imperialism like setting up a mine in your homeland!

    • Eric says:

      06:30pm | 15/06/10

      Firstly, the motives of the US or Russia have nothing to do with my point. The fact is that there is now an alternative source for many minerals in which some very powerful organisations might choose to invest.

      And it’s not just a matter of what’s going on there today - some people plan in the long term. Decades or more.

      As for the violence, there may be countries which are willing to use overwhelming force to ensure peace and domination - unlike the US and its allies, who prefer top walk softly.

      Some of the commenters here are rather naive.

    • Teach. The bouncer who reads. says:

      08:18am | 18/06/10

      It will not be long, before all mineral laden countries bring in the same tax. The Afghans will be a lot faster with it and a lot more expensive. They need it. We are the ones who save because we no longer will have to pump our tax money into there. Give up on the scare mongering. The miners can afford the tax and are trying to stop the worlds people from seeing the bloody obvious. Too rich, too late.

    • annie says:

      06:37am | 15/06/10

      Wow Peter I think the comrade jibe is on the wrong foot, so the journalists are all wrong about African and Chile and Canada et al all rubbing their hands with glee about the extra investments coming their way.

      Sorry mate I take as much notice of the ramble as I do to the accuracy of your political polling. And that’s no notice at all Comrade.

      Reply

    • Sherlock says:

      06:47am | 15/06/10

      Thanks Peter. This article shows in detail what’s wrong with Labor and why Australia is seriously considering turfing them out of office after letting them have a go.

      Class envy is never a good look. These so called “rich bastards” are the ones employing your union members at an average salary exceeding $100,000 each. These are the people showing the skills and the drive to build world leading businesses. All I can say is that I wish there were more of them.

      If the best argument you can come up with to support the case for the mining tax is that it’s opposed by the “rich bastards” then it’s obvious that the mining tax must be an extremely bad idea.

      I ask myself the question, what does Australia need more of? Rich bastards or union officials?

      When I look at the contributions of the two groups then the rich bastards lead by a mile.

      Reply

    • T.Chong says:

      08:41am | 15/06/10

      Could it possibly be that both unions and investors are equally needed?
      Yur dislike of unions is obvios, but Sherlock…,
      Do you work?, covered by OH+S , superannuation, annual leave ? paid yur wages regularly / secure that you wont be retrenched at a bosses whim?
      These are some of the gains made by unions that most people enjoy.
      Ask people like nurses, or miners , or police etc etc etc just how important unions are.
      As you say “class envy"including the ““employers class” being envious of workers rights, is never a good look.

    • D'oh says:

      09:38am | 15/06/10

      @ T.Chong, you are of course correct in the need for both Unions and Investors.

      If only the Unions actually did what you say they should do.  Who knows, they might actually earn some respect in the community.

      Just a suggestion…..

    • Mark Gepp says:

      10:41am | 15/06/10

      Dear Sherlock

      how dare working people earn a six figure salary! I want to know who they are my dear sleuth so that we may round them up and place them back into wages mediocracy!

      Haven’t heard an argument Shelock that says support the tax because the Richie Richs’ of this world oppose it. They are our resources however and all Australians are surely entitled to share in the prosperity.

      Greedy Pauper

    • luke09 says:

      12:37pm | 15/06/10

      It’s ironic when you think, without the rich bastards we wouldn’t need unions, as there would be no jobs. If no privately run business didn’t exist, the unions only problem would be government employers.

    • Steve M says:

      01:23pm | 15/06/10

      to take your point further Luke, had you considered the rich bastards wouldnt be rich bastards without some poor schmuck out there to do the work? And also, the rich bastards are getting richer selling OUR resources?

    • Bruce says:

      03:23pm | 15/06/10

      No rich people, no well paid employees. Also, no unions !!!

    • Chris L says:

      06:22pm | 15/06/10

      I know the large corporation I work for has been able to continue running smoothly with management incognito for days at a time, occassionally even weeks. Imagine trying to run it one day without the workers.

    • stuart says:

      08:34pm | 16/06/10

      Anyone can dig stuff up, the miners aren’t value adding- they were lucky enough to be holding the (our) assets at the right time.

      They don’t deserve the profits from flogging off Australia’s wealth

    • persephone says:

      07:03am | 15/06/10

      You forgot one of the essential union lines, used in every dispute I’ve ever had a passing acquaitance with:

      ‘We’re not about the money. This is about the future of mining in this country.’

      Reply

    • Jacob M says:

      07:13am | 15/06/10

      I was shocked to see how many of those extremely rich people were overweight!! They have obviously over indulged with life’s most fattening food. They are going to want to save every last cent for their next yacht or aircraft purchase. They may have to give up eating that 500th kilo of caviar.I thought the photo of Twiggy and Julia Bishop dancing was good. They make a great couple, she spends a fortune on cosmetic surgery and he makes a fortune to waste on it. She uttered traitorous muttering , then lied, and he wants to bring down the Government!! They really do make a fantastic couple.

      Reply

    • fehowarth says:

      12:00pm | 15/06/10

      Generally I think it is bad manners to duscuss a person’s weigh but you are right.  The scene showed the extent of their need.  I implore all to support these obviously needy people.  We al know they always put the needs of the worker and environment ahead of their own.

    • fehowarth says:

      12:00pm | 15/06/10

      Generally I think it is bad manners to duscuss a person’s weigh but you are right.  The scene showed the extent of their need.  I implore all to support these obviously needy people.  We al know they always put the needs of the worker and environment ahead of their own.

    • Ali says:

      09:57am | 18/06/10

      Usually they are overweight due to long working day, lack of sleep, forgoing sports to work longer and bad diets (i.e trying to get a quick meal which usually means fast food) when they were younger trying to establish themselves.  Remember most these guys weren’t born rich instead they sacrificed their health and wellbeing to get ahead financially.

    • Boogie says:

      10:15am | 24/06/10

      Ali. Are u being sarcatsic ? I bet Gina Reinhart really took the hard knocks to establish herself in the mining industrie. Incase you can’t tell I’m being sarcastic.

    • Nigel Catchlove says:

      07:14am | 15/06/10

      Looking forward to Part 2 of your article where you laud the poor hard working, blue collar, working family, downtrodden, helpless members who have to drive trains in the Pilbara for only $200 000 per annum.  Those greedy rich mining magnates have a lot to answer for. 

      Piss poor article.

      Reply

    • Chris L says:

      06:24pm | 15/06/10

      For the next act of charity we need someone to donate a sense of humour for Nigel.

    • Amused says:

      07:22am | 15/06/10

      If you want a slice of the money, Peter, how about getting a REAL job in a mine?

      Reply

    • Adam Diver says:

      07:41am | 15/06/10

      Pathetic really, “rich bastards union”. Class envy is alive and well I see.

      I always like to read the bios here so I can get an idea of the Bias to be shown. Everytime I see someone working for the unions, I never ever see another job or profession. Funny that…

      Reply

    • Phil says:

      08:03am | 15/06/10

      Peter, perhaps I am wrong but dont the states own the minerals?
      Dont they therefore charge an amount of royalties on these as they deem fit? Have they not in the main increased their royalties in the past and would probbaly wish to continue this practise in the future?
      Are the States not allowed to charge more royalties if neccessary if they choose to do so, but are wary of any impact on jobs, activity in their state and want to increase ecomonic activity rather than risk it going the other way or too other states?
      The problem with all of the above, is that if the states did this they dont/wont plug a massive hole in the federal governments budget, but rather give more cash to the states, most of whom are not travelling too well. Hey NSW is supposedly making a profit this year, but they are hardly providing long term infrastructure we need, and they are only doing so cause Kev handed out extra cash for Health Bribes.
      I dont think anyone in Australia would not argue that the mining companies could possibly pay a little more. The emphasis is on LITTLE, NOT LOT.
      Why would Rudd not instead either -
      a) Increase the rate at which it kicks in to say 12%
      b) Decrease Health Funding Agreed and in Return have the States increase Royalties to put along with their percentages agreed so pay for these services thus giving more cash, in a way that noone could really complain about.
      Would it not be the case that Bligh needs extra royalties to pay back the massive debt she incurred.
      As is always the case the cases both sides put up are to be taken with a grain of salt, and the truth lies somewhere in between, but a government who has overseen waste and mismangement of projects on a scale not even equalled by a Paris Hilton and her cohorts on a spendathon trip to the mall, a bit rich to claim that as always
      c) Defer to tax and consult mining companies on how they can pay more? rather than say this is how much you will pay. Is is class warefare to say your rich to stump up more.
      I appreciate your piece is satire, but really its not, just another paid advert for Labor and its tax.

      Reply

    • Andy says:

      08:14am | 15/06/10

      More party political drivel from an ex-union hack who inexplicably pretends to run an unbiased polling company and whose blog claims him to be somehow immune to political spin.

      My suggestion to you Peter would be that if you want to help Labor just stop talking or writing.

      Reply

    • watchingwithinterest says:

      08:30am | 15/06/10

      If this represents the preaching of the unions - class war envy - then i know why I don’t belong to one.  I would sooner my children see successful business people and strive to achieve what they have achieved then to have the attitude you display here of lets bring everybody down to same level. Shame on you.

      Reply

    • Mark says:

      11:27am | 15/06/10

      I to aspire in my children innovation and self sufficiency, but in return ask that they give back to society through paying there fair share of tax to contribute to a stable democracy. By my calculations and using the same methodology as the Mining companies seemed to have (i.e. royalties are a tax) I pay an effective tax rate of 39 to 40% that includes rates, GST, PAYE, and taking into account the childcare rebate I receive in return. If Twiggy, Jerry and Co pay that much tax I’d be surprised. It’s not class envy, just social responsibility. So shame on these executives for ignoring the benefits of doing business in Australia and quite frankly if it’s not them pulling minerals out of the ground someone else will. The Chicken Little routine should not wash.

    • Arnold says:

      01:16pm | 15/06/10

      Twiggy, Jerry and Co will already be paying 46.5% income tax without including rates and GST.  And they wont be receiving the childcare rebate.  So they definitely trump you. 

      What a foolish argument.

    • Mark says:

      02:54pm | 15/06/10

      Really, prove it to me Arnold? Their companies argue royalites as a tax, which some would argue is not the case, they have access schemes to reduce their taxable income and receive transport subsidies. Their personal incomes also have access to legimate ways of reducing their taxable income. So in terms of an effective tax rate I’d argue they would pay less. They’re certainly not doing anything illegal and they’re looking after their own interest which they’re entitled to do, but Packer was certainly good at reducing his taxes and boasted about. You don’t think these guys wouldn’t do the same?

      You seem to be under the delusion that these people created billion dollar businesses without the support of government, society and their workforce. The only foolish thing is to not get value from the resources in the ground that can be extracted at any point in time.

    • Mark says:

      03:15pm | 15/06/10

      Oh and another thing Arnold, perhaps you can enlighten me as to which unnamed individual it was that had $242 million in unpaid taxes under Wickenby, while Glenn Wheatley goes to jail for $300000. So don’t talk to me about paying my fair share.

    • Bill Butterworth says:

      09:02am | 15/06/10

      Jealousy is a curse! Your red commo streak is showing Mr Lewis!

      Let’s face it, we all want to be rich bastards, some of us were actually getting closer to the mark before the labor party got in and stuffed us all !

      Reply

    • James1 says:

      04:18pm | 15/06/10

      Indeed it is.  I bet these rich bastards are jealous that some of their vast fortunes might be used for the benefit of people other than themselves…  That is a knife that cuts both ways.

    • Bundy Trauma says:

      09:24am | 15/06/10

      Surely it’s the BLF—the Billionaires’ Liberation Front?

      Reply

    • Nicole says:

      09:36am | 15/06/10

      Rich bastard unions? Ha! Jealousy will consume you Peter.

      Reply

    • Macca says:

      09:59am | 15/06/10

      Nothing like a bit of tall poppy syndrome to really drive home the Union Agenda.

      Reply

    • 6c legs says:

      10:09am | 15/06/10

      Totally support the “(latest) great big tax”.

      ALL Australians have a right to profit from the *acres* of their country being dug up and sent elsewhere.

      ...I told my American friends about this proposed tax, and the ensuing bloodbath.  (fervent) Repubs and Dems thought it made sense, neither alligence understood why this legislation didn’t just slide through unopposed. !!!
      sometimes i can only just *sigh* for my country…

      Reply

    • Frank Merlot says:

      06:13pm | 15/06/10

      HAHAHA!  Coz the Dems and Reps have made sure the American economy is in GREAT SHAPE!!!!!!!!!

    • Evan Findlay says:

      10:34am | 15/06/10

      I love how the social elite and the boorish Liberal party hacks who infest these forums can’t take a little medicine. The article was quite witty and the Rose Porteous Annual Award had me in stitches. Maybe Peter you have been a little too unkind to the conservative classes. They are a very sensitive lot and it appears you have hit a nerve. Sob, sob for the little darlings. Maybe we should all rally around them and stroke their ego’s, that might stop them from sulking.

      Reply

    • 6c legs says:

      11:25am | 15/06/10

      Oh, they can laugh all right - but only at other people misfortune.

      you go ahead and stroke their egos, but be careful you don’t get bitten!

    • Eye4anEye says:

      01:19pm | 15/06/10

      Nice barb Evan - you get those mean nasty people that dare be more succesful than you

    • Steve M says:

      01:20pm | 15/06/10

      Spot on Evan. Those precious types are very quick to hand out the sarcasm but send a little back…....I mean, look at all the sheep here stampeding out to defend the unfortunate mining magnates. Well done people, well done!

    • Texas Millionaire says:

      10:37am | 15/06/10

      That’s the union motto: “More for those who don’t deserve it and less for those who do”.

      Reply

    • Tom Red says:

      11:08am | 15/06/10

      Loved it Pete!

      The sight of those fat, cigar-chomping, pearl wearing bastards moaning about having to pay fair tax is totally surreal.  How dumb do they think people are?

      Sure, like all Australians, the Rolex Revolutionaries have every right to protest…. in their own interests.

      But we also have the right (responsibility?) to laugh out loud at the bald-faced avarice on display here. 

      These giants of industry are literally rolling in gold - while our hospitals, schools and social services have to beg for funding. 

      All Australians have to get a fair share of our common wealth now before it runs out and the proceeds have been pissed up against the wall by the billionaires club. 

      PS Is anyone else wondering why a bloke with Clive Palmer’s wealth has such a cheap and nasty dye job? I’ve seen trainee Goths on Enmore Rd with more convincing do’s. Just sayin’

      Reply

    • Chris L says:

      06:31pm | 15/06/10

      “How dumb do they think people are?”... have a read of the posts defending these poor, suffering magnates.

    • mikk says:

      11:24am | 15/06/10

      I cant understand the fawning and genuflecting to these mega rich ponces.  Sure they employ a few workers and pay them well but they pay themselves far more generously. With OUR minerals.

      They are ripping us off and it seems many of us are happy to be swindled. Indeed many seem to be assisting the swindlers.  You are fooling yourselves if you think these richers give a toss about your job or your income. They only care about gouging as much lucre as they can and to hell with the rest of the country.

      Its actually very unAustralian and I for one am pining for a return of the tall poppy syndrome to bring some of these spivs back down to size and show them that they dont run this country and their mining futures depend on keeping faith with the rest of the Australian community and not ripping us off.

      Reply

    • fowarth says:

      12:05pm | 15/06/10

      Most tall poppies that have been beheaded deserve the the acion.

    • Shane From Melbourne says:

      12:20pm | 15/06/10

      Very amusing article, and all the replies of class envy and jealousy made it even funnier. They really need to get a life or at least out of Liberal party meetings more….

      Reply

    • Adam Diver says:

      03:41pm | 15/06/10

      The article is funny????? What the hell is wrong with people.

      “Rich bastards Union” very clever and witty stuff that. I take it allback that is seriously funny stuff.

    • Shane From Melbourne says:

      04:47pm | 15/06/10

      Come off it, both the ALP and the Liberal Party are a joke, and the only thing you can do is laugh about it otherwise you’d cry…..

    • antiperspirant says:

      01:55pm | 15/06/10

      Rudd achieves his aim.

      Class warfare is alive and well. Us against them. All in a search for power.

      Love it. Just wish the article was vaguely humorous. I found it a bit bland and boring to be honest. Tired old ad homien attacks and clichés not utilised correctly.

      Oh well, this is 5 minutes of my life I won’t get back.

      Reply

    • Press says:

      02:27pm | 15/06/10

      I don’t know whether these people are bastards or not.

      I do know, as a shareholder, I expect company owners to show a certain level of mature professionalism in public debate. I expect these people to know their business. I expect them to grasp the essentials of a case before they start opening their mouths in front of a camera.

      The spectacle of owners -billionaire or otherwise - carrying on like pork chops in public leaves me entirely unimpressed.

      Reply

    • Grumbles says:

      05:40pm | 15/06/10

      Hi Press, I too am a shareholder, and a hard working Australian. My wife and I are on modest incomes and have almost zero offsets, meaning we pay a pretty big chunk of PAYG tax. I believe I am taxed enough and don’t need to be taxed anymore. I don’t feel a sense of entitlement to any profits made off the Australian landscape, as I have put in none of the hard work.

      What I find hilarious is that Twiggy Forrest is a large supporter and donor to the Labor party, but even he sees the blunder in this. Even funnier is that people don’t even understand what soveriegn risk is, and the almost irrepairable damage Rudd has caused with this announcement.

      Rudd has successfully made this about class envy, and the poor and lazy have taken the bait, not pausing for a second to consider if anyone, anywhere, at anytime, should ever, pay more than 50% tax. Or if they themselves would ever work under a regime where the Government made more money off them than they made for themselves. I’m not even happy with what’s being done with my tax dollars, I firmly believe that mining companies make better spending decisions than the Government anyway. One only needs to look at the cost and scope of some of these mining funded projects compared to some of their local BER alternatives to see who gets better value for a dollar.

      I implore you all to look enviously at the West Australian economy and ask yourself, “what’s different?”. The answer might be as simple as a different Government, more worried about its constituents than clinging to power.

    • Press says:

      08:24am | 16/06/10

      Did I say anything about class? Nup.

      Fact is, the mining execs are supposedly highly skilled, successful leaders in business. I could care about less their personal wealth. I expect ‘em to lead with mature judgement. Not carry on like pork chops,  Commies! Ruination! Cancel that project!  Blah blah blah…....

      Get a peek through the smoke and fireworks, and what do we see. Exaggerations falling over each other, admitted by the dolts that made ‘em up in the first place.

      What was it the Marx Bros used to say? Always leave ‘em with a laugh. Class envy, eh. My oh my oh my. Thanks to Grumbles for the laff of the day. Class envy! Always good for a chuckle.

      Next!

    • Jorji says:

      09:52pm | 15/06/10

      @ Grumbles

      im not sure what there is to be envious of…i live in perth and i have hugely expensive rent (for a tiny place that i was lucky to get with the shortage), very expenisve food, increasingly expensive water/services while more and more cuts are occuring in health etc..

      if this is what I can expect more of with the mining companies siphoning off our resources then i say enough!

      to quote marr from qanda last night ‘its not a tax on the cake its a tax on the icing’ its a tax i would be more than happy to see in place so that this ‘wealth’ im supposed to be enjoying is actually spread around to the people of australia

      Reply

    • Grumbles says:

      11:41am | 16/06/10

      Sorry Jorji, but the Mining companies are here to stay. Take comfort in the fact that food is pretty much the same cost everywhere in oz and that services here in WA are actually cheaper. It’s a shame about the rent, but in many places in Perth it is now comparable to buy as it is to rent, and the property market will go nothing but up, due to severe housing shortages and a ballooning working population. To quote Marr on anything is laughable, but on this is is even more sinister as he is a far left, anti development socialist with green ideologies.

      Living in WA you are already enjoying the fruits of a balanced budget gained by taxing the miners. The health system is in great shape, our road networks are expanding, public transport is a viable travel option and we have one of the greatest wireless internet networks in the world. Employment is easy to gain and plentiful etc etc we are the envy of every other state NSW wish they could balance the budget like this.

    • Jel says:

      06:04pm | 17/06/10

      Maximising profits is the driving force with all players in the market.

      Emotions aside, the primary considerations, apart from stable government, would be government incentivesin the form of the provision of adequate support infrastructure (ports, railways, roads, utilities, communications, etc), cost of living, various establishment costs, complementatry support services (recruitment, maintenance, etc), the provision of cheap and readily available skilled and/ or semi-skilled labour, in addition to the existence of a viable ore body to exploit, and yes taxation and kickbacks.

      There are also a range of entry and exit costs to consider, and various opportunity costs associated with either staying or going.

      Basically, if it was that attractive to go overseas, they would be there already, tax or no tax.

      Reply

    • Bruce says:

      04:30pm | 18/06/10

      Jel: Most of the corporate mining companies “are already there”

    • MrsMcLeanofStocko says:

      02:23pm | 23/06/10

      I grew up in a mining town in NSW, which has a cancer rate 20% higher than the NSW average. One in three people in this town will die before they are 70. My Mum died from ovarian cancer when she was 53.  My brother, sister and I all had stints in oxygen tents when we were infants due to asthma. We no longer have asthma because we have moved away from the town.The big miners claim these health stats are nothing to do with their activity. Coincidence really that both Lithgow (my home town) and Singleton in the Hunter Valley have similar health problems, I think no. So while they rip up the earth and take their profits offshore, we will be the ones dealing with the health problems for generations. I say Go Kevin. These corporate bullies need to realise they are not a law unto themselves.  As this piece says, the resources are actually ours.

      Reply
 
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