How did "dalma" get to post three times in less than two hours?

Stephen Long on ABC TV last night thought that the miners were on a complete beat-up about the new tax. Remember that the tax is only on profits once the 6% threshold has been breached. Do miners actually make investment decisions based on assumptions of short term and unpredictable "super profits"? Somehow I don't think so.

Micheal, given that inflation runs at around 3-4%, if you invested
your money in a bank deposit, 7% would hardly be a "superprofit"

Profit has to be related to risk taken. The petroleum tax considers
14% a super profit IIRC. Business generally works on 15%, or its
not worth taking the risk on a new venture, things could go wrong
as they often do in mining.

Miners rely on commodity markets, which have massive fluctuations.
So they rely on the good times, to create padding for the lean times.
They try to finance new projects from profits, not from borrowings
if possible.

Net profit matters here, not gross profit. The thing is, Rudd and
his mob are not just content with company tax, they want this new
tax on top. That makes Australian miners some of the highest
taxed in the world.

I certainly hope that the miners won't invest further in Australia,
let them rather pay out profits to shareholders or invest elsewhere.

Or hire great acccountants and transfer price profits out of
Australia. The incentive to use every accounting trick in the book,
has just doubled

The mineral wealth belongs to this country despite the thinking of some here that we own nothing and the people are not the country but beholden to it. To call this tax wealth redistribution is extreme ignorance. Wealth redistribution is what has happened in Zimbabwe and is being touted in South Africa. It is as extreme as the idea that markets and business should be allowed to developed uncontrolled and without regulation as some here seem to suggest. As the GFC has shown us big business cannot be trusted with a packet of life savers. More still their champions will blame the government for their own greed and uncontrollable appetite for profits without conscience.
The super tax maybe poorly applied and could do with some modification, but i didn't notice that the current budget hinged on it only the programs of business tax reform, super reform and infrastructure programs. These would have to be shelved like the ETS if the arrogant opposition continue to block everything in the senate. They have no and never have had a mandate to block all this legislation. The nation voted for it in 07(ok not the super tax) and has paid a great price for the arrogance of an opposition that never accepted the election loss. There destructive behaviour in opposition will haunt them for a long time, negative politics is negative for the country.
Sooner or later the ETS will also come again when there is no longer an option to ignore the environmental destruction that has been laid upon this country by uncontrolled greed and drive for profit. The damage repair bill will have to be funded from somewhere and as we can see by the gulf oil spill it won't be the polluters that will pay if they can help it.
The GFC has bought a change to the landscape and it is disappointing that many don't understand it. It maybe a pity as it squeezes the ideal free market model but it's the very model that requires a conscience to work properly.

Shadow Minister: << there has only been a fraction of Aus prospected. It is unlikely that the availability of minerals will end in the next few centuries >>

Perhaps not all minerals - but do tell why it is now apparently necessary for coal miners to wreck our most productive food-producing country. Anything that slows down that rape and pillage campaign has to be good.

<< Second stage, niche market, and high value add is where Australia and other OECD countries can compete. >>

And when do you suggest that Australia enters that stage? Before we've sold all accessible minerals and buggered the country completely?

*The mineral wealth belongs to this country despite the thinking of some here that we own nothing*

It was pointed out to you Nairbe, that minerals belong to the States.
This present grab for money by the Commonwealth is nothing more
then a control freak Fed Govt, wanting to control everything.
For WA, the best thing right now would be to secede, rather then
just be treated as a cash cow by you greedy lot.

*Wealth redistribution is what has happened in Zimbabwe*

Nope, that was wealth destruction. That country is stuffed.
The goose was slaughtered by greedy bureaucrats and politicians.

Fact is, you and others live the cushy lifestyle that you do,
because of the mining industry. Without it, you would be wearing
banana leaves in your banana republic

"Fact is, you and others live the cushy lifestyle that you do,
because of the mining industry. Without it, you would be wearing
banana leaves in your banana republic."

Ho hum - Newish Australians have no concept of Australia's mining history where I've been smack bang in the middle of many protracted mining busts and I've never had to resort to wearing banana leaves. Hmmmm....the idea sounds rather attractive.

I hear tell there's a new regulation pending in Zimbabwe (when the bun fight ceases) where all businesses and mines over the value of $500,000 (?) must be 51% owned by the people so will we have Rio Zim, Rio Tinto Australia or both? I predict there will be other developing countries too taking control of their resources which have been plundered by our big 'Australians.'

But do try to be philosophical about your mining buddies Julie. The grave yards are full of indispenable people.