Australia’s resources sector is calling for gas projects to get off the ground and tax settings to remain stable as Anthony Albanese takes his budget sales pitch to the nation’s west.
The prime minister on Tuesday will spruik Labor’s economic plan in Perth, as post-federal budget polling shows voter backlash after the government broke promises not to touch negative gearing or the capital gains tax.
Mr Albanese said Labor always thought selling “big reform” would be difficult.
“This is tax reform that’s been called for a long period of time, treating income gained from working – which is what most people do – much more equally with income earned from assets … that’s what we’ve put forward,” he told ABC radio on Monday evening.
Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable said the resources industry wanted the government to improve investment conditions and competitiveness.
“We need gas projects to get off the ground through better regulation, stable tax settings, balanced workplace relations and the continued work on port, rail and road infrastructure,” she told AAP.
“The industry are going to raise (with the prime minister) the fact that the entire resources industry is important to the Australian economy.
“We are the industry making the massive contribution to the budget bottom line.”
Ahead of the budget’s delivery last Tuesday, Mr Albanese flew to Western Australia to address a key resources event amid calls to hike taxes on gas exports.
There he announced more than $45 million in funding to progress environmental bilateral agreements with states and territories in a bid to speed up approvals and remove duplication for new projects.
The prime minister has worked hard to shore up votes in WA, as the state proved key in elevating Labor to office.
Mr Albanese will also face pressure during his visit to the resources state to reaffirm his commitment to the GST deal struck between former premier Mark McGowan and former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison.
The deal guarantees a return of 75 cents of its per-person share of the goods and service tax.
The agreement is under review by the Productivity Commission which will hand down its interim report to the federal government by late August.
Australian Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national newswire and has been delivering accurate, reliable and fast news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We keep Australia informed.
