House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Mining Super Tax MINING SUPER TAX Mr WILLIAMS House of Assembly MacKillop Deputy Leader of the Opposition MINING SUPER TAX Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:31): My question is to the Treasurer. How many South Australian mining companies have advised the government of their concern about the Rudd government's super profits tax, and how many are pulling back on their investment due to this uncertainty? The Hon. K.O. FOLEY House of Assembly Port Adelaide Deputy Premier Minister for Federal/State Relations Minister for Defence Industries MINING SUPER TAX The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Federal/State Relations, Minister for Defence Industries) (15:31): Madam Speaker, I can say one thing: I have not yet found a mining company that says it is a great idea. I have not yet found anyone saying, 'Whoopee! I want to be taxed more.' I can say none has said they support it. We are in discussion with a number of mining companies and we are doing as any government would do: assessing what, if any, impacts may occur under the current structure of this tax. We are talking to a number of mining companies. The Premier has met with some, I have met with some, we will meet with some more, and our officials are meeting. We are doing a good piece of work. Something we have been noted for is we are not a government that grandstands on these issues. We are working constructively behind the scenes—objectively and constructively with the commonwealth—so we can highlight— Ms Chapman interjecting: The Hon. K.O. FOLEY House of Assembly The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Vickie, you will have to yell a bit louder. You are much further away now. The Hon. P.F. Conlon House of Assembly The Hon. P.F. Conlon: Any more moves and she will be in the corridor. The Hon. K.O. FOLEY House of Assembly The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: One more move and she will be in the corridor! The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Treasurer, would you get back to the question? The Hon. K.O. FOLEY House of Assembly The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Just be careful, Vick, that is the last-of-the-line seat, where you are. I should put on the record, Madam Speaker, I think it was very harsh the way the member for Bragg and the member for Waite have been put in the middle benches. That would be— Mr PISONI House of Assembly Mr PISONI: I have a point of order, Madam Speaker, under standing order 128. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Yes, I agree entirely with you—relevance. Have you finished your answer, Treasurer? The Hon. K.O. FOLEY House of Assembly The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I have.