Greens will not abandon small business in Labor’s mining tax rush

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says the Gillard government has itself to blame if the Senate delays passage of the mining tax package in coming weeks.

"Where is the government's promised tax cut for small business (from 30% to 29%) due to start in July? It is reasonable to want to see legislation for the small business tax cut before handling the rest of the package," Senator Bob Brown said in Hobart today.

"Better still, the Greens are wanting government to seriously consider such Henry tax review recommendations as lifting the definition of small business from $2 million to $5 million income, or lifting the instant tax write-off for new equipment from $6,500 to $10,000. Some red tape could be cut as well.

"The Greens have a long-standing opposition to the $2.4 billion tax cut for big corporations and to the Commonwealth reimbursing increased state royalties on mining," Senator Brown said.

The Senate committee report on the mining tax proposal will be handed down on Wednesday.