South Australian jobs and investment are of no concern to a South Australian federal Labor MP, according to comments he has made this morning.
Member for Wakefield Nick Champion made his astonishing remarks when questioned at the doors of Parliament House about the Rudd Government’s proposed great big new tax on mining:
Nick Champion: “… the serious work of putting in place the implementation of this tax goes on.”
Journalist: “So you have no concerns about the BHP projects in South Australia?”
Nick Champion: “No, no concern at all.”
“Mr Champion’s comments are quite at odds with those of South Australian Labor Treasurer Kevin Foley, let alone those of mining companies considering further investment in our state,” Senator Simon Birmingham said today.
“… clearly investment decisions by BHP are impacted by this tax increase … we believe the definition of a super profit does not allow the company sufficient return for them to take the risks that will be necessary.”
Kevin Foley, SA Labor Treasurer, 891 ABC Adelaide, 11 May 2010
(In relation to planned expansions in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland):
“While the uncertainty is in place it would be very difficult to approve any of those projects.”
Marius Kloppers, Chief Executive, BHP Billiton, ABC TV, 10 May 2010
“Given the extensive concerns being expressed about further investment in projects as significant as the $22 billion expansion of Olympic Dam, it is simply astounding that any South Australian MP could say he is not concerned at all,” Senator Birmingham said.
“Mr Champion has plainly demonstrated he is not concerned at all about investment in South Australia or the thousands of jobs for South Australians that would result.”