Liberal about-face on royalty relief for miners welcomed by Labor

The State Liberal Government has done a quick about-face on providing royalty relief to Tasmanian mining companies just days after dismissing the policy by Labor as a thought bubble.

“Royalty deferral or a royalty holiday, call it what you like, but the Liberals have adopted Labor’s policy to stimulate activity in the troubled mining industry,” Mr Green said.

“The Resources Minister Paul Harris rubbished me for suggesting a royalty holiday for miners and that’s exactly what he wants to do now.

“I welcome Mr Harriss’ about face and recognition of Labor policy.

“It doesn’t alter the fact though that Mr Harriss’ bubble has burst when it comes to his credibility as Resources Minister.

“Last week Mr Harriss even suggested he didn’t know what a royalty holiday was.

“I do not know what he (Mr Green) is talking about with his thought bubble process of royalty holidays.” Paul Harriss , Parliament Hansard.

“Mr Harriss’ clearly misled the Tasmanian Parliament because he admitted today that when he made that statement he had secretly been negotiating with miners to provide royalty relief.

“It is typical of Mr Harriss’ smoke and mirrors approach to the Resources portfolio.

“Now that the Liberals have announced plans to provide a royalty holiday for the Avebury nickel mine on the West Coast, similar relief should be provided to Copper Mines of Tasmania in Queenstown.
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader