Yabby
I grew up in QLD and lived in WA for 8 Years. The whole sucede thing is really boring. We are one country and the states are becoming more and more irrelevant as the economy continues to expand internationally. Nationhood would destroy WA, just start considering the costs involved and the incredibly restricted tax base that you would have to work from. It wouldn't take long and the place would be in big trouble when the mining boom stops. I do enjoy hearing the old stories though. Joh always wanted to split off with WA and NT. Could have been good but deeply short sighted. Nothing ever lasts and WA will again need the rest of the country before too long, then all we will hear is how we owe you because you all carried use for so many years.
Never said what happened in Zimbabwe was good just that it was wealth distribution. This tax though poorly thought out as is this governments way is common sense, and you do realise that mining does happen in other states around this country.

*I've never had to resort to wearing banana leaves. Hmmmm....the idea sounds rather attractive.*

Dickie dear, sounds like you need to get out your Che Guevara hat,
to match the banana leaves :)

I dunno so much about Zimbabwe giving anything to the people. They
gave the farms to their mates, now the people are starving. They
are taking money from the Chinese and are ready to hand them
their minerals. The Chinese don't muck around, they will strip
the place bare and again the locals will starve.

Nairbe, WA is doing 60% of the minerals with 10% of the population.
Yet if we look at what comes back this way, we are basically
a cashcow for the East. Rest assured, we would do pretty well
without you lol. I would vote for secession tomorrow, if the
opportunity should arise.

CJ

"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?"

There already. The industries that try to compete head on with China have long since closed. Those remaining either fill niche markets or have logistic barriers to trade (such as transport costs) that keep them competitive.

If they want to mine here in Australia! They pay the Tax! And if they don't, someone else will! I think it's a good tax. And I'm not a labour supporter. Don't let their scaremongering put off a good Tax! It's not like these greed driven arrogant capitalists are on the bones of their ass! Up the share holders! The hole community is more important then a hand full of greedy capitalist pigs! End of story.

Attractive now for China. They are not interested in profit only the ores. So we have given them a lovely discount for our resources already and the tax not even law yet. We are treated like all other countries now as been have been down rated and are seen as having soveriegn risk. We have lost the point of difference.

If we want to ban mining to save it for the future that has nothing to do with this tax, how would it make an ounce of difference? We discount it for foreign ownership who will operate at a loss or break even now as they do nto see k profit from ming but from steel making. The profit will move to China. They probably cannot believe their luck as we trash our own economy and makes oursleves ripe for takeover.If we try to stop them they will impose a import tax.

Ores are only worth under $8 a tonne in the ground. We probably make more than that in royalties. This was one real stupid move by Rudd. A nation in debt has obligation to reduce that debt. Now debt will cost us more and interest rates will increase due to higher risk profile. Rudd has killed the economy. Even if he repealed today damage is done to a degree as we are seen to have an irresponisble and unstable government.