MEDIA RELEASE – ACTING PRIME MINISTER’S ATTACK ON WESTERN AUSTRALIA

SENATOR THE HON MICHAELIA CASH

SHADOW MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE

SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

MEDIA RELEASE

17 NOVEMBER 2022

ACTING PRIME MINISTER’S ATTACK ON WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The acting Prime Minister’s refusal to rule out hitting resources companies with increased taxes is a disgraceful attack, not only on the sector, but also on Western Australia.

Richard Marles was reportedly asked twice during a media conference in Perth to rule out the likelihood of increased taxes on mining and gas companies but did not do so.

“The fact he did this during a visit to Perth makes it even worse and begs the question what the WA Federal Labormembers of Parliament think of this,’’ Senator Cash said.

Western Australia is the home to the biggest share of the mining and resources sector’s operations in the country and is the engine room of the national economy.

“Labor’s Resources Minister Madeleine King should immediately rule out any increased taxes on the sector. As a Western Australian she should be telling her eastern State colleagues to keep their hands of this industry,’’ Senator Cash said.

“Surely she knows the importance of this industry to our State and the Nation,’’ she said.

“And what about her other Western Australian colleagues like Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman, Minister for Veterans Affairs Matt Keogh and Minister for Early Childhood Education Anne Aly – what have they got to say about this,’’ Senator Cash said.

“If past performance is any indication there will be a deafening silence from all of them,’’ she said.

“Anthony Albanese and the Labor team duped Western Australians into believing they cared about this State – but now it is obvious they don’t,’’ she said.

The Western Australian Liberal team has always stood up for Western Australia and our mining industry.

“The two best examples were when we fought against Kevin Rudd’s mining tax and also when we delivered WA its fair share of GST,’’ Senator Cash said.

“Labor will always treat Western Australia as a cash cow,’’ Senator Cash said.

ENDS