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Anthony Albanese rules out mining tax, won’t cut minority deal with Greens

Anthony Albanese has given an iron-clad guarantee no new mining tax will be introduced if he wins the Federal election and ruled out a minority government deal with the Greens or Teals as he vies to secure crucial resources states. In a sit-down interview with The West Australian as he flew from Kununurra to Perth on Thursday, the Prime Minister vowed he’s in WA to win it — declaring the Liberal-held seats of Durack, Canning and Moore, and the new seat of Bullwinkel, in play. Without any surprise gains, holding the four WA seats Labor gained in 2022 — Tangney, Swan, Hasluck and Pearce — could make the difference between majority government, minority government or defeat in a looming federal election. But Mr Albanese told The West he’s aiming for a majority and will not sign an agreement with crossbenchers if he falls short. “Absolutely, we’ll govern in our own right,” Mr Albanese said. Mr Albanese has hit the hustings early, touring Queensland, the Northern Territory and WA this week as part of a de facto election campaign. He is due to fly out of Perth on Friday, after his 27th visit west as PM, but has vowed to return to the “engine room” State at least three more times before polling day, due by May 17. “Only three, why only three?” he said. “I’ve been here more times than the three previous Prime Ministers have, by a fair margin.” A Minister in the Gillard Government that was backed by independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott, Mr Albanese vowed to rely on his negotiating skills to pass legislation — bill by bill — if Labor falls short of the numbers to form a majority. “You don’t have to do a deal. The only coalition that exists in the Federal Parliament . . . there’s the Liberals and Nationals together, and in the Senate there’s the Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens who vote together all the time,” he said. “We’ve got 25 votes in the Senate but we’ve managed to get through 45 pieces of legislation in the last week.” Legislation to provide tax breaks for high-risk investments in critical minerals are yet to pass, with the Minerals Council of Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies all crying foul over the fine print of “community benefit principles” they say could have unintended consequences. Mr Albanese defended the detail, but insisted he is backing the industry. He declared the State’s miners already pay enough tax and guaranteed “no new mining tax or royalty increase” under his Government. “No, that’s not what we’re doing. What we’re doing is actually supporting the industry through production tax credits and we will prioritise that when Parliament goes back,” he said. “We have our position, we’ve done what we said we would do last time round. Resources companies do pay substantial tax and contribute to the national economy. “They also contribute by employing people and those people pay tax as well.” Mr Albanese acknowledged that while not all changes to the mining industry had been “universally supported” — specifically the “same job, same pay” policy — his Government had stuck to its word to support the sector. Despite recent opinion polls showing Labor’s primary vote as low as 31 per cent, Mr Albanese rejected claims the cost of living is driving a backlash among voters who believe the Liberal Party is the better economic manager. “That flies in the face of reality,” he said. “Real wages have increased under us. At the same time, four quarters in a row, as more than a million jobs have been created, inflation — that had a six in front of it — now it has a two in front of it. So on all of the economic indicators, our performance is far far superior. “We have managed to deal with cost of living pressures, whilst in a way that has continued downward pressure on inflation.” He said going “harder, faster” on inflation would have backfired. “You would have had higher unemployment, lower growth and that is what Peter Dutton is arguing for.” Mr Albanese spent much of Thursday talking up a $200 million housing and community infrastructure package for regional WA. However, it was dismissed by the Opposition as promises that won’t be delivered on time. “Albanese seems to think flying to Western Australia on his private jet for a quick photo op makes up for his ongoing betrayal of our state, it doesn’t,” Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash said, pointing to the shutdown of live sheep exports and red tape on the mining sector. Mr Albanese met with Labor supporters and local residents in Kununurra and posed for photos with Hasluck MP Tania Lawrence and Bullwinkel candidate Trish Crook in Perth. However, attempts to ask Ms Crook a question were declined. “That’s enough, it’s hot in here,” Premier Roger Cook said, to wrap up the press conference inside an air-conditioned urgent care clinic in Midland. Mr Albanese called the WA Premier his “friend” and wasn’t put off by Mr Cook’s declaration that he is “very independent” and focused on his own election on March 8. “All Governments are independent, we make our own decisions but we work cooperatively,” Mr Albanese said. He gave a one word answer — “no” — to rebuff Mr Cook’s call for 80 per cent Federal funding to become the standard for critical road projects, following the $7.6 billion dollar upgrade of Queensland’s Bruce Highway that was announced this week. But Mr Cook went back for more, suggesting he will be pushing for the Commonwealth to chip in funds for “Metronet on Swan” ferries that kicked off his own unofficial election campaign on Sunday. “Never stand between a Premier and a pot of Federal funds,” he said. WA Labor has promised to put $107 million towards five electric ferries and two terminals, at Applecross and UWA, but the State Opposition has claimed the budget is unrealistic. “Well, we’re having conversations with (the Federal Government) about Metronet on the Swan,” Mr Cook said. “We know that the Albanese Labor Government is strong supporters of public transport.” Whether those negotiations come to fruition will depend on two elections, but Mr Albanese was also silent on when he’ll trigger the Federal poll. “Good try . . . keep your eye on the car with the flag on it, when it goes to Yarralumla that’s when I’ll be calling the election,” he said. “I can confirm that I’m not announcing the election date here today,” he said.

The West Australian exclusiveAnthony Albanese rules out mining tax, won’t cut minority deal with Greens

exclusive
Anthony Albanese rules out mining tax, won’t cut minority deal with Greens