BHP Billiton has doubled down in its fight against new tax proposals for mining corporations. The mining giant is now accused of “bullying its staff” with anti-tax advertisements in the workplace.
WA Nationals leader Brendon Grylls has been pushing for a tax increase on iron ore -- a change he says would fund a “tourism investment revolution.” BHP’s response? It’s bombarding workers with anti-tax ads on workplace computers and in staff rooms.
BHP has allegedly overridden its workplace computer system to force employees to see anti-tax ad screensavers. A BHP spokesperson claims the ads are meant to “inform our workforce of the potential impacts” of the tax proposal. But don’t be fooled: this is not-so-subtle coercion designed to sway employees’ votes come March 11.
Tell BHP to stop forcing anti-tax propaganda on its employees.
It’s no coincidence that BHP is ramping up its anti-tax campaign in advance of Gryll’s re-election March 11. Grylls has pushed hard to update production taxes on iron ore that have remained unchanged for decades -- a change that would add $7.2 billion in tax revenue over four years alone.
With Grylls up for re-election in less than a month, it’s unacceptable for BHP to try to influence employees’ votes with one-sided ads in the workplace. Unsurprisingly, the ads are silent about the benefits of the tax proposal: billions of dollars to be invested in regional infrastructure, cheaper regional flights, and indigenous tourism initiatives.
For too long, Australian corporations have been finding ways to get out of paying a fair share of taxes. Which is why we’ve been pushing hard on the 579 large companies that paid NO taxes in 2014. With rampant tax dodging draining government budgets, the last thing we need is BHP influencing their employees to vote down tax proposals that could fund crucial public services in our communities.
Tell BHP to stop trying to influence the state election with anti-tax ads in the workplace.
More information
BHP 'bullying staff' with anti-mining tax screensaver, WA Nationals' Brendon Grylls says
ABC. 1 February 2017.
ABC. 1 February 2017.