If Australia can do it, why can't we?

摘要

NOT only is Australia's new Mineral Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) going to detrimentally affect that nation's mining industry, it is also prompting other countries to follow the same path, which will impact negatively on mining around the world. No doubt many other politicians are thinking that if the government of a resource powerhouse such as Australia can do this, then why can't we? It seems as though every month Indonesia is proposing new regulations that will impact on the mining sector. Among the recent announcements has been the introduction of an export tax on coal and base metals, a ban on some raw material shipments, and limiting foreign ownership in domestic mines to 49% within the 10th year of the start of comoperations. Although Indonesia's growth prospects remain compelling, the raft of regulatory announcements has created a lot of uncertainty and confusion for the sector, and is almost certain to reverse a recent trend of growing foreign direct investment. Foreign direct investment into Indonesia surged 20% to a record US$19.1 billion in 2011 but there is now the danger of Indonesia being perceived as protectionist by foreign investors.