THE federal government has introduced the legislation for its mining tax, claiming overwhelming public support but it faces a tough slog in the weeks ahead with all independent MPs either opposed or making demands in return for their support.
And while the independents unveiled their wish lists, the government warned there was little revenue from the tax to splash around and that the structure of the tax - renegotiated with the three minerals giants after Kevin Rudd lost his leadership - would not be altered.
''We gave them our word that was the end of the debate,'' the Resources Minister, Martin Ferguson, said. ''We've got no intention of breaking our word with the miners.''
The Queensland independent, Bob Katter, all but ruled out giving his support by insisting every dollar raised by the tax be returned to mining communities to build infrastructure and services. The Western Australian crossbencher, Tony Crook, opposes the tax so the government needs the support of Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott, Andrew Wilkie and the Greens MP Adam Bandt.
Macedon Ranges Weekly
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