Former prime minister Kevin Rudd's support for a 40% tax on mining profits is thought to have compounded the loss of support from his caucus that led to his resignation on Thursday.
The mining industry in Australia is sceptical a new face at the top will solve an impasse on "super profits" tax or fix the damage that it's doing to the industry.
The mining industry in Australia is sceptical a new face at the top will solve an impasse on the "super profits" tax or fix the damage that it's doing to the industry.
Julia Gillard, who has replaced Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister, has vowed to end division over the proposed tax of 40% on "super profits", though she says the starting point is that the mining industry agrees it should pay more tax.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies says its members want to see what the new leadership has to offer.
Chief executive Simon Benison says "the ball is in the government's cart" and Ms Gillard "can make a serious difference if the will is there to do so".
Mr GIllard says she would also like to resurrect a carbon trade scheme and call elections within months.
On Thursday, Ms Gillard said she would can the Government's mining tax ads and called on the mining lobby to do the same.
The ABC reports BHP Billiton responded by suspending its ads. Rio Tinto followed later in the day.
