MINERAL RESOURCES LTD —
KOOLYANOBBING
581. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to the state agreement act
governing operations by Mineral Resources at Koolyanobbing.
(1) Does the
minister agree that a rise in iron ore prices has delivered additional revenue
to the government?
(2) Does the
minister acknowledge that companies engaged in iron ore mining are making a significantly
increased profit as a result of increased iron ore prices?
(3) If yes to (2), does the minister agree that the
current agreement between the government and Mineral Resources for large
royalty and wharfage discounts is providing a less beneficial deal for the WA
taxpayer?
(4) What will the minister do to
address the extremely generous subsidies for mining companies?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) Yes.
(3) The support
arrangement provided to Mineral Resources Ltd continues to provide jobs and
other benefits to Western Australia by enabling the continuation of a mining
operation that was otherwise going to cease ahead of schedule.
(4) The government will continue to
honour the agreement reached with Mineral Resources Ltd.