So true diligent and that's why mining companies import most of their machinery. As to whether mining royalties are being spent wisely by the states since Liberal WA is the major beneficiary I would have thought that you would say that they are???
IMO royalties are nowhere near high enough though but the problem with increasing them is that they are a flat rate and not related to profits. This has a very bad effect on miners during harder times.
Much better to have an MRRT which they only have to pay during the good times when profits are high. As most of the big miners are majority foreign owned an MRRT has the added benefit of keeping more of the high profits in Australia.
As opinion polls are showing most Australians support the MRRT and want the NBN. In opposing them the Opposition is backing losers, but that's Tony for you.
