Gillard cancels mining tax ad campaign

Incoming Australian prime minister Julia Gillard has cancelled the taxpayer-funded advertising campaign promoting thitaly produce tons of marble granitee government's proposed resource super profits tax. Ms Gillard has asked the mining industry to cancel its advertisements as a show of "mutual respect".

The overture has delivered immediate results, with mining giant BHP Billiton announcing it would be suspending its campaign against the controversial tax. "In response to the new prime minister's request, we have immediately asked our agencies to suspend all advertising as a sign of good faith," the world's biggest resources company said in a statement. "We look forward to working with the government in this new way to find a solution that is in the national interest," it said. The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies confirmed it was also stopping its advertisements on the issue. The new prime minister said she was "throwing open the government's door", and in turn hoped the mining industry would open its mind.