Opposition leader Tony Abbot said he welcomes the plan for a mining funds assistance for the election campaign.

Mr. Abbot said the proposal of a super tax profit was one of the reasons behind a decrease in polls for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The opposition leader also criticized Rudd's plan, stating that the budget, which should be released on Tuesday, is based on a $9 billion-a-year new tax on mining companies.

Mr. Abbot said that such proposal would damage Australian economy.

Mr. Abbot stressed he will happily accept financial support from the mining industry to help fund his election campaign.

“I welcome assistance, I welcome support but I'm just getting on with my job. I am not touting for donations,” he said in a local radio yesterday.

Figures of the Nielsen poll released on Monday showed the proposed super-profit tax did not get the majority support with 47 per cent opposing the tax compared to the 44 per cent who favor the proposed plan.

Opposition resources spokesperson Ian Macfarlane explained the poll results is an evidence that Australians are angry about the tax.

“What we are seeing at the moment is a reaction by Australians to a prime minister who uses racist comments against international mining companies who give Australians jobs, pay Australian taxes,” Mr. Macarlane told media.

Paliamentary secretary Mark Butler said the federal government owe it to the public to explain further about the proposed tax.

“All we're saying is there should be a fair return on that investment to Australian taxpayers," he told Sky News.