JULIA Gillard will hold crisis talks with independent MP Tony Windsor today over his threat to scuttle Labor's mining tax unless the government imposes stricter rules on coal seam gas companies.
Mr Windsor has warned he will not back the $11 billion mining tax unless the government gives itself the power to override the states' control of mining leases and allocates $200-$400 million to fund environmental assessments of regions slated for coal seam gas developments.
He said the issue had been brought to a head by coal seam gas exploration by mining company Santos on the Liverpool Plains in New South Wales.
“I've made it clear to the government that this sort of nonsense from some of these companies had gone on long enough,” Mr Windsor told ABC radio.
Mr Windsor's support is crucial to the passage of the minerals resource rent tax, which is due to be introduced into parliament tomorrow.
Ms Gillard said today she would stick to the deal she struck with mining companies when she took the prime ministership last year, but was prepared to listen to Mr Windsor.
“Tony Windsor has said consistently he's got concerns about land use questions and coal seam gas and mining in his area of the world,” she told ABC radio.
“I know those concerns are shared by many.
“Predominantly this is a state government matter, to manage land use and resources, but of course we will discuss Tony Windsor's concerns with him.”
Labor needs the support of four crossbench MPs to secure the passage of its mining tax legislation.
Country independent MP Rob Oakeshott has backed Mr Windsor's proposal, while Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie wants changes to the tax legislation to lessen its impact on small miners.
The Greens have been pushing for changes to the tax so that it includes gold, not just coal and iron ore.
The Australian
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