Aussie Government, Business Sector Face Off

Sure they're usually cozy, but sometimes love can turn to hate

THE relationship between the government and the business community is souring with negotiations for a company tax cut on the brink of collapse and the mining sector convinced the government is about to hack into its generous diesel excise rebate to help balance the budget.

The miners, who threatened an advertising campaign if the government touched the diesel rebate in the budget in May, are again threatening to fight back if it is touched to help pay for promises like the Gonski school funding reforms or the blowout in asylum seeker costs.