Xstrata

An NT intervention policy coming to a suburb near you

by Daniel Piotrowski

110
An insight into a particularly tricky relationship

by Marc Glasby

210
Women can lose their virginity whenever they want

by Rose Russo

310
Our record with stroke is really just a big joke

by Andrew Laming

410
Punch on: Open thread 29/05/2012

by The Punch Team

510
Is there a nicotine patch strong enough for this?

by Steve Williams

610
A great win by Webber, but it sure as hell wasn’t sport

by Dan Walsh

710
Fighting Assad one strongly worded statement at a time

by Tory Maguire

810
The woman with her head down trying to save Labor

by Malcolm Farr

910
Eurovision, the only game worth watching this weekend

by Anthony Sharwood

1010

Xstrata is just playing chicken with the Government

04 Jun 12:59pm

Filed under: Economy, Mining Tax, Politics, Rspt, Xstrata

If 3,250 jobs never existed, can they still be used to batter a government over the head and frighten the bejesus out of mining communities? That’s what Swiss mining giant Xstrata is testing this week.

There’s been much hysteria about Xstrata’s announcement it will suspend and review two Queensland projects. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd fought back, boldly describing Xstrata’s announcement yesterday as ‘passing strange’. Here are some better descriptors: arrogant, cynical, bullying, fear-mongering.

Anyone involved in the mining industry for any length of time knows how to take this kind of announcement from a mining company, with a big grain of salt.

Continue reading "Xstrata is just playing chicken with the Government" »

Latest 2 of 138 comments

View all comments

Jacquie Butterfield says:

10:07pm | 09/06/10

Just read what Norma posted. Xstrata posted notice to quit projects on the London Stock Exchange, so it’s official. Bit of a shock to have mafia take over 40% of your business overnight. There has to be some business risk in this. Read more »
Jacquie Butterfield says:

09:57pm | 09/06/10

How about you going through the exercise of exploration, feasibility, funding, scoping, funding, construction, production? You seem to know quite a bit about the pitfalls? Project the training types and numbers required and keep them on standby or send them away to hold down other jobs until they’re needed. Read more »

Add your comment

Facebook Recommendations

Read all about it

Punch live

Up to the minute Twitter chatter

drpiotrowski 29 May 12 08:25AM

RT @ThePunchHQ: COMING SOON to a suburb near you: A controversial #NT intervention policy. @drpiotrowski explains http://t.co/MYjvaAy6 #auspol

ToryShepherd 28 May 12 10:46PM

RT @saline: Touche Miriam. Touche Barry. Wicked old thespians taking the pith. #qanda

ToryShepherd 28 May 12 10:42PM

The best haters are the worst spellers #qandadelayed #godihopeididntmakeatypo

antsharwood 28 May 12 08:31PM

How much fun is it retweeting people who can't spell?

See all tweets

Nosebleed Section

choice ringside rantings

From: They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

Michael S says:

"A teacher at Geelong Grammar had criticised her for using words that were too long, which had left her confused and had made her doubt her ability to write essays. She became ''quite distressed'' when her English marks began to fall." I can sympathise. My scholastic mentors conveyed to me a causal relationship… [read more]

From: Welfare for breeders is a bonus for everyone

Change Up! says:

I have no problem paying my taxes. As a single, childless person on a very decent income, I can afford it and not have my life severely altered. Plus I understand that my taxes paying for things like schools, childcare and infrastructure is ultimately a good thing. A better community is better for me… [read more]