The NSW Minerals Council (NSWMC) has refuted union claims about the off-road diesel fuel exemption.
The Council said that Ian Murray, District President of the CFMEU, incorrectly claimed that the mining industry was accessing a fuel rebate only available to select industries.
“This is a tax rebate in name only,” NSWMC chief executive Dr Williams said.
“It was introduced in 1982 and evolved from an off-road exemption certificate, which acknowledged that diesel vehicles being used off-road could not be charged for damage to public roads which they weren’t using.
“All industries and users of diesel for off-road purposes have access to this exemption, including farmers using tractors, haul trucks in the mining industry, anyone using a diesel generator in remote areas, and back-up generators for hospitals and emergency services.”