.............BHP chief executive Marius Kloppers yesterday launched a scathing attack on the plan, unveiled in response to the Henry tax review, disputing the government's claim that the industry had short-changed the nation on tax. "That is simply not true," Mr Kloppers said in an email to staff, obtained by The Australian.
"We believe that this tax will damage the resources industry in Australia and erode the future prosperity of all Australians and have an impact on BHP Billiton."........
........In his email, Mr Kloppers said the government, "for whatever reason", had included only royalties in its calculations to support claims the industry had short-changed the nation in the amount of tax it paid. Royalties accounted for one-third of the $6bn in taxes paid by BHP last year. He said the industry had paid an average tax rate of 43 per cent over the past nine years, much higher than the 30 per cent average for banks and retailers.......
