The mining industry worsened our near-recession, they took the hardest hits from the fall in demand from China. It's quite the ironic myth.
My view is obviously yes. Basically the miners are making a shitload out of non-renewable resources, the government is funding the infrastructure to increase their profits...Why the hell shouldn't they pay more? What's more overseas shareholders will make a buck out of Australian resources. The government should tax them and use the money to invest in other industries. Mining could be long-term, but it's not a never-ending industry.