Largest Coal Company Warns Queensland Industry at Risk Under State’s Tax Policy

Australia’s largest coal producer has criticised the Queensland government for its insufficient industry engagement and negotiation and resource tax policies that it calls “”narrow-minded.” Queensland has continuously raised taxes and royalties on mining, leading to criticism from those in the industry and foreign investors, including the Japanese government. Most recently, it passed a law that royal rates cannot be altered without consideration by the parliament. In an address to the Queensland Resources Media Club, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) Asset President Adam Lancey described the Queensland government’s sudden policy and fiscal changes that were made without proper consultation as “unpredictable and unreasonable.”...