Didn't you read the henry report? How about the listen to the RSPT speech by Swann? Or how about the Speeches by the PM?
The state royalties will be reimbursed by the RSPT. Got it now?
As to our money being spent, the miners would differ - they think its THEIR money and they want to keep as much of it as possible!
BTW, what makes you think the gov is wasteful with our money? Ask any economist now and they will probably say (grudgingly) that gov. spending has kept Oz out of recession - that means "we" avoided copping a worse credit rating, more "sovereign risk" (what a joke!) and more unemployment, etc. Of course the miners say they kept us out of recession and employed ppl - however the Treasury (Henry I think it was) said the miners shed 15% of their work-force in the last year or so and in any case did more to destroy wealth on their own than any gov. ever has - case in point RIO!
