Greens backs Australian PM to stay strong on mining tax

The Greens on Thursday urged Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to stay strong on his mining tax, which was now billed as a test of the prime minister's credibility.

Rudd had clearly failed to sell the tax on the so-called super profits of mining companies to the masses, causing him and his government pain in the opinion polls, Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The opposition said it can see a back flip on the horizon.

But Senator Hanson-Young urged Rudd not to be swayed by his diving popularity.

"His credibility is in tatters ... but it's no good just bowing to the mining industry," Senator Hanson-Young told Sky News.

"The prime minister needs to stand strong on this."

Rudd should tell the miners the tax was good policy and the government was determined to introduce it, Senator Hanson-Young said.

But Liberal senator Gary Humphries doubted the mining tax will ever get through parliament, if the government's track record on emissions trading is anything to go by.


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