This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21378053
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Australia collects $130m revenue from mining tax | Australia collects $130m revenue from mining tax |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Australia's revenue collection from its controversial mining tax has fallen well short of initial expectations. | Australia's revenue collection from its controversial mining tax has fallen well short of initial expectations. |
The government said it collected A$126m ($130m; £80m) in the six months since it was implemented on 1 July 2012. | The government said it collected A$126m ($130m; £80m) in the six months since it was implemented on 1 July 2012. |
It had forecast revenues of A$2bn in the year to 30 June 2013 from the move, which imposes a 30% tax on iron ore and coal mining firms in the country. | It had forecast revenues of A$2bn in the year to 30 June 2013 from the move, which imposes a 30% tax on iron ore and coal mining firms in the country. |
Treasurer Wayne Swan said that a drop in commodity prices had hit the resources sector and hurt tax revenues. | Treasurer Wayne Swan said that a drop in commodity prices had hit the resources sector and hurt tax revenues. |
"It's clear revenues from resource rent taxes have taken a massive hit from the impact of continued global instability, commodity price volatility and a high dollar," Mr Swan said. | "It's clear revenues from resource rent taxes have taken a massive hit from the impact of continued global instability, commodity price volatility and a high dollar," Mr Swan said. |
"Revenues across the board are down very substantially. | "Revenues across the board are down very substantially. |
"Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) is a profits-based tax that raises more revenue when profits are higher and less when they are lower," he explained. | |
Large mining firms had opposed the tax, saying it will hurt their competitiveness and affect future investment in the sector. | Large mining firms had opposed the tax, saying it will hurt their competitiveness and affect future investment in the sector. |
Political issue | |
The levy has also faced criticism from the opposition, which said that it was not raising enough revenue and was costing millions of dollars to administer. | The levy has also faced criticism from the opposition, which said that it was not raising enough revenue and was costing millions of dollars to administer. |
On Friday, Senator Mathias Corman of the Liberal Party labelled the mining tax implementation a "complete fiasco". | |
"After nearly 3 years of Swan MRRT secrecy, we finally get to see the costly consequences of his fiscal incompetence in black and white," Mr Corman tweeted. | |
"Any Chief Financial Officer of a publicly listed company who missed key revenue prediction on a major measure by 91.4% would be under serious pressure to quit," he added. | |
Mr Swan had previously rejected calls to release the revenue figures, saying that it would be in breach of the privacy provisions of Australia's tax laws. | Mr Swan had previously rejected calls to release the revenue figures, saying that it would be in breach of the privacy provisions of Australia's tax laws. |
The mining tax is likely to be a hot topic of debate in Australia's next general elections which are scheduled to be help in September this year. |
Previous version
1
Next version