BHP Billiton Chairman Jac Nasser’s dig at Australian tax and industrial laws today demonstrates the arrogance of the big mining companies operating here, said CFMEU National President Tony Maher.

Even when the industry is expanding rapidly and raking in massive profits, companies like BHP continue to throw their weight around.   

“BHP directly negotiated the fine detail of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax, it was one of the big three mining companies at the table,” said Mr Maher.

“We know the MRRT was a good outcome for mining companies, or they wouldn’t have signed off on it. Yet here is Jac Nasser complaining that tax here is so high that Australia is not competitive and our future growth is at risk. What nonsense.

“Australia’s tax regime has had no impact in the wildfire growth we are seeing across the mining sector – rather we need to ensure big mining companies like BHP return a greater share of the boom to ordinary Australians.”

Mr Nasser also told the Institute of Company Directors today that Australian industrial laws should be amended to ‘recognise the rights of management’.

But BHP was just looking for a legal fix to its inability to manage its Australian operations effectively, said Mr Maher.

“Part of good management is being able to introduce change and bring your people with you.

“BHP has failed miserably in its Bowen Basin mines to convince its own workforce of the merits of its management agenda.

“BHP can’t blame unions, or industrial laws, for its failure to work with employees and successfully implement a change program. It’s not our job or the govenrment’s job to convince workers they need to accept longer rosters or have contractors on lower pay – it’s BHP’s job and the current management clearly isn’t up to it.

“Australia is being very good for BHP’s bottom line – it’s time to stop whingeing.”