MINING SUPER TAX

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:03): My question is again to the Treasurer. Has the state government sought any advice on the constitutional validity of the commonwealth government imposing a new tax on the mining industry? The West Australian Attorney-General, Christian Porter, has stated, 'I have no doubt that should this destructive tax reach the stage of legislation, that to prevent the economic vandalism that would result, major constitutional litigation would result.'

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (15:04): This is an area in which I have a particular interest. I am very happy to get a full report—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Yes, 25 years of service as a justice of the peace. In fact, it is more than 25 years; more than a quarter of a century of jurisprudence. I have to say that I have looked at the issue, and my purview of the constitution makes me wonder in which section of the constitution—

Mr Williams: Section 114, Mike.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Section 114; well, I will have another look at that and I will report back sine die.