The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies has released a detailed list of issues it believes should be addressed by which ever party wins Saturday's federal election, starting with scrapping the Minerals Resource Rent Tax.
"Clarity and certainty for business and investment decision-making is the engine room of Australia`s economy is at the top of AMEC`s federal election policy initiatives," said Simon Bennison, AMEC CEO.
"A stable public policy framework and fiscal regime is essential for this to be achieved.
"The recent debate, lack of clarity, uncertainty and confusion surrounding the proposed new extra tax on mining has been most damaging to the industry, investors and Australia`s global reputation.
"The proposed Minerals Resource Rent Tax should therefore be withdrawn immediately, and replaced with an open, genuine and long term strategic tax reform program that removes this uncertainty, ambiguity and the anticipated massive administrative and compliance burden on industry and government.
Mr Bennison said other policy issues which he believes urgently need addressing included the streamlining of the project approvals process including addressing aboriginal affairs and native title, and issues surrounding the environment, heritage, exploration development, infrastructure and labour.
He said there needed to be a renewed focus on resolving outstanding native title claims and clear protocols dealing with consultation processes where there is more than one group of registered claimants or traditional owners
AMEC believes some environmental and heritage issues could be addressed by setting up a national comprehensive environmental information database and by removing inefficiencies and duplications in Federal, State and Territory environmental and associated legislation, practices and procedures
According to AMEC's priorities policies list, infrastructure issues could be addressed through an investment plan that supports and services the minerals exploration sector particularly in remote regional areas.
"As the peak national representative body for hundreds of mid cap mining and junior exploration companies we look forward to working closely with the incoming federal government on these reasonable and sensible policy initiatives," said Mr Bennison.
