Family First Senator Mr Steve Fielding has acknowledged the Federal Government's legitimacy but he is unlikely to support its mining tax.

Senator Fielding jointly holds the balance of power until the Senate changes next July. He has previously indicated he will make life tough for Labor because he believes the election showed the Australian people did not want them to govern.

He respects the system and will treat each piece of legislation on its merits. However he is not convinced about the Government's mining tax.

Mr Fielding said that "I think it's ill-conceived to start with and I don't think they have got across the board support from the industry at all. I know that big miners seem to be a little happier but put it this way, I'm hesitant to vote for tax increasing."

(Sourced from ABC.Net)