The Queensland Government has announced it will intervene in the ongoing High Court Challenge to the Mineral Resources Rent Tax (MRRT) lodged by Fortescue Metals.

 

State Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Jarrod Belijie, said the intervention allowed the Government to put forward its arguments regarding the MRRT.

 

“I want to be clear, the Government is not supporting or joining Fortescue Metals in its challenge to the tax,” Mr Bleijie said.

 

“Legislation allows Attorneys-General across the country to intervene in any proceeding involving a constitutional challenge and that is what we are doing.

 

“This is a battle that has to happen because there is the potential the MRRT is constitutionally invalid.

 

Mr Bleijie said the cost to Queensland taxpayers would be minimal as the Government would be represented by Crown Law and the Solicitor-General under existing funding.