Politics
Mining tax passes lower house
IT'S the Gillard government's second big economic reform, but the mining tax has passed parliament's lower house in the dead of night with just four people watching on.
Unlike the carbon pricing package, there was no applause, hugs or kisses.
The Minerals Resource Rent Tax Bill 2011 passed the lower house in the early hours of today after a marathon sitting day.
Voting on the bill and 10 associated pieces of legislation didn't begin until almost 12.30am, AEDT. The vote on the bills finished at 2.42am.
"This is a way in which all Australians share in the bounty of the mining boom," Treasurer Wayne Swan told parliament.
