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Shire of Victoria Plains
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Letter to the Editor
Staggering increases to water, power, licenses and other charges announced this week will add
$440 a year to the expense column of each WA household.
The McGowan Government is forcing Western Australian households to bear the brunt of Budget
repair while refusing to negotiate with the State’s biggest mining companies to update an
outdated 1960s fee in their State Agreements.
This is a slap in the face for WA mums and dads, small businesses and seniors when the Premier
has refused to take up The Nationals’ policy of negotiating an increase to the 25 cent special lease
rental fee paid by BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. The rental charge is not new — the miners have paid
it for decades — nor is it a royalty.
Mr McGowan has said everyone needs to share the budget burden but these increases to
fees only create pain for households with little gain in the deficit column - just $59.5 million per
year. The Nationals’ policy would see $7.2 billion added to the State’s bottom line by
increasing BHP and Rio’s outdated rental fee.
The Nationals accept the mining companies pay a significant amount of royalties to the State – and
we understand the importance of the industry to Western Australia and nation. We aren't
advocating ripping up State Agreements. But we do not accept the McGowan
Government allowing a fee struck 50 years ago to remain untouched forever while asking West
Australian households and small business to foot the bill.
Every West Australian should be demanding the Premier show some intestinal fortitude. It's time
Mr McGowan stands his ground on behalf of West Australians and demand a fairer contribution
from BHP and Rio.
Shane Love MLA
Member for Moore