Julia Gillard has met two critical crossbenchers in an effort to lock in numbers for the mining tax - as the Greens lobbed another last-minute wildcard, suggesting uranium should be part of the package.
JULIA Gillard has met two critical crossbenchers in an effort to lock in numbers for the mining tax - as the Greens lobbed another last-minute wildcard, suggesting uranium should be part of the package.
The Prime Minister met privately yesterday with Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott to work on their demands on coal seam gas and Ms Gillard will speak by phone this morning to Andrew Wilkie.
After the meeting, Mr Windsor told The Age future regulation of coal seam gas exploration - which he has tied to his positive vote on the mining package - was complicated, given it involved several tiers of government. ''The difficult thing is getting the process right,'' he said. ''We're working through it, but there's no resolution yet.''
There were further talks last night. Parliamentary debate on the package resumes on Monday. Next week is the final sitting week for 2011, and a committee examining the legislation will report on November 21.
Greens leader Bob Brown told reporters yesterday that uranium should be included in the tax package, not just coal and iron ore.
Lower house Greens MP Adam Bandt has signalled he will move amendments to the package next week, adding gold to the commodities included in the resources tax.
Senator Brown suggested uranium should also be added in light of the Prime Minister's expressed desire this week to permit yellowcake exports to India.
Ms Gillard has called for Labor's national conference in December to endorse the policy shift. Labor's policy currently prevents uranium sales to countries outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Ms Gillard's move has irritated Senator Brown. Yesterday he signalled uranium should be in the mining tax mix.
''We will be looking at adding that amendment in the light of the huge change that we are seeing not just in the promotion of uranium to India by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, but with the uranium prices going up,'' he said.
''It seems logical to me, in an age where healthcare and public education are short of funds right around this country, should we not be taxing the largely foreign ownership of our uranium mines?''
Negotiations between the government and Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott are progressing steadily, but Treasurer Wayne Swan is not yet calling the package a done deal.
''Look, I'm very confident that we can get this through the Parliament, but I don't assume it as being a done thing,'' Mr Swan told the ABC.
''We're continuing to talk to the independents and the minor parties as you do, and we'll continue to do that and hopefully we'll secure their support when the bill comes to the Parliament because it's a really important reform for the long term,'' he said.
''Of course, if it's not put in place, then what's endangered is that big boost to superannuation for millions and millions of Australian workers and, of course, that tax cut for small business.''
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What is the mining tax (resources tax) Julia Gillard is negotiating?
The mining tax — often called the resources tax in the article — is a proposed levy on major resources like coal and iron ore that the Gillard government is negotiating in Parliament. The Prime Minister has been meeting independents and minor parties to secure support and the package could be amended to include additional commodities such as gold or uranium.
Why are politicians talking about adding uranium to the mining tax?
Greens leader Bob Brown and other Greens have urged that uranium be included in the mining tax. Their argument in the article links recent political moves to permit yellowcake exports to India and rising uranium prices, and they say taxing largely foreign-owned uranium mines could help fund public services like health and education.
How could coal seam gas regulation affect the passage of the mining tax?
Independent MP Tony Windsor has tied his positive vote on the mining package to future regulation of coal seam gas exploration. He says the issue is complex because it involves multiple levels of government, and negotiations on regulatory arrangements are still ongoing and unresolved.
Which crossbenchers has Julia Gillard met to try to lock in numbers for the mining tax?
The Prime Minister held private talks with independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott and planned a phone call with Andrew Wilkie as part of efforts to win crossbench support for the mining tax package.
What amendments are the Greens planning to move to the resources tax?
According to the article, Lower House Greens MP Adam Bandt signalled he will move amendments to add gold to the list of commodities covered by the resources tax, while Greens leader Bob Brown has suggested including uranium as well.
What is the parliamentary timetable for debate and review of the mining tax bill?
Parliamentary debate on the mining tax package was set to resume on Monday, with the following week the final sitting week for 2011. A committee examining the legislation was due to report on November 21, making that report a key milestone in the process.
What is Treasurer Wayne Swan’s view on whether the mining tax will pass?
Treasurer Wayne Swan said he was very confident the government could get the mining tax through Parliament but did not assume it was a done deal. He emphasised ongoing talks with independents and minor parties and framed the tax as important for long-term reforms.
How could the mining tax affect everyday Australians, such as superannuation and small businesses?
The Treasurer warned that if the mining tax package isn’t put in place it could jeopardise measures tied to it — specifically a large boost to superannuation for many Australian workers and a planned tax cut for small businesses, both of which were presented as benefits of the reform.
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