Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Metals Group has indicated it will seek similar support from the West Australian government that has been extended to Chinese conglomerate CITIC and its multibillion-dollar magnetite iron ore operations in the state.

However, WA Premier Mark McGowan set the scene for a showdown with Fortescue on the issue on Thursday when he ruled out the same royalties discount that has applied to the CITIC project and another owned by Chinese steelmaker Ansteel and its Australian partner Gindalbie Metals.