Dutton rules out new taxes on WA mining

On the eve of his first visit to Western Australia in 2025, Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has ruled out imposing any new royalties or taxes on the state’s mining sector if he’s elected to power at the looming federal election.

Dutton is the last major party leader at a state and federal level to make the commitment.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

When asked by 9 News Perth and WAtoday, a spokesperson initially dodged the question, pointing the finger at Labor as “the only party of higher taxes” and “the biggest existential threat to the mining sector in WA.”

However, when pressed if a federal Coalition Government would rule out new taxes on mining, his office confirmed ‘yes’.

Dutton has previously described himself to the industry as “the best friend you ever had”, vowing to unwind Labor’s industrial relations changes.

“The biggest existential threat to the mining sector in WA is a Labor Government with their plans for more green tape that even Roger Cook has been forced to admit is a threat to the state’s resources sector,” Dutton’s office told 9 News Perth.

However, it was Dutton who was the final domino to fall on Sunday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had already promised no new mining taxes, following Premier Roger Cook and WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam’s commitments.

At the time, Albanese said his government ‘backed the WA resources industry’.

“We don’t want additional taxes, what we’re after is production tax credits to back in the industry. What we’re going to do is provide a tax incentive for investment of which WA will be the big beneficiary, as well as Queensland,” Albanese said.

WA-based mining giants were eager for the major parties to rule out increases, as state and federal elections loom.

Both Albanese and Dutton are in Perth this week, as speculation swirls a federal election in April could be called.

The state proved to be a kingmaker for the Albanese government, after the then-Scott Morrison-led coalition lost five seats in the west in 2022.

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