Big fossil fuel companies can write off as ‘business expenses’ the millions which are used to fund bodies like the Minerals Council of Australia, the NSW Minerals Council and the Queensland Resources Council.
“If these fossil fuel companies are dodging taxes on these payments they are cheating Australian taxpayers of revenue that can be used on essential services. They are also undermining Australian democracy, wrecking the environment and damaging other economic interests,” said the CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, David Ritter.
"Mining groups use these funds to run campaigns for reduced regulations on coal seam gas, increased industrial port expansion in the Great Barrier Reef and reducing their contribution to the national purse through further tax deductions in their favour.
"The federal government announcement of a Resources Super Profits Tax on May 2, 2010, triggered protests by mining companies. The Minerals Council of Australia alone spent $17.2 million on an advertising campaign against the tax.
“These campaigns are only helping offshore investors, where 83 per cent of all mining industry profits go.
“More and more, we are seeing government policies with adverse outcomes for Australia’s democracy and environment driven by fossil fuel companies.
“The Abbott government, for example, is currently investigating environment groups at the behest of the fossil fuel industry because we stand up to these companies, and draw attention to the damage they do.
“Greenpeace wants a comprehensive investigation into how fossil fuel companies funnel money through the peak bodies of the mining industry to run campaigns that will lead to damage to pristine farmland, underground water, and even the Great Barrier Reef,” said Mr Ritter.
For more information contact: Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004