PRIME Minister John Howard privately signalled a wish to maintain the $800 million a year diesel fuel rebate, this week, 10 years ago. At a meeting with senior mining executives, Mr Howard said he would be disappointed if it were reversed as it had been a coalition election promise but would not be drawn into making a commitment. Analysts predict the removal of the rebate would cause the gold index to fall by 25 per cent, wiping $4 billion of its market evaluation and seriously effecting the coal and iron ore industries.
