The difference [1] and nuances [2] between payg tax and payroll tax isn't something one expects the average person to be that aware of. Given the overall benefit to both state and federal bodies though the
paid employment, 5% of wages paid out to the employees as a fee to be paid to the state body should not be much to crow about. However given the length of of employment for most employees at various mines around Queensland, the various mine employers would certainly be paying PAYG for their employees.
Yes, despite revenue [3] most business can claim federally determined costs as per the yearly income tax. The problem or question is, how much of that was gamed or indeed an allowable deduction. Adani is though thought to be using very suspicious methods [4] and apparently do not have a good environmental record.
Adani history of wrong doing seems somewhat cloudy [5], but for myself Adani has a long history of short comings predating any web links I can find. What I first recall of dodgy dealings was a company mid to late 00s which name sounded very much like Adani [6] that had a large project in Mackay (Qld) - port of Mackay which was subcontracted out. Some contractors were in for well over $100,000 despite requests or expectation to be paid at each stage completion and ultimately though various loop holes were not paid. Through work I knew one that lost his earthmoving business selling his dozers, trucks, excavators and other equipment and iirc even some land to cover his losses ... long story short the Queensland govt created a new rule to protect subcontractors (and perhaps even contractors in general) from dodgy arsehats. Adani also wanted the Qld govt to pay for the railway infrastructure to their proposed mine ... but I feel the govt was well familiar with them and reminded them the coal mining industry which just a few years before was claiming there was no money in coal ... one company selling their large mine for a dollar. Adani then changed their name. This might have something to do though with iirc, some major scandal in Western Australia where one of the people was a banker named Adani.
[1] https://ebats.com.au/payroll-tax-vs-payg-withholding-austral...
[2] https://cleartax.com.au/tax/payroll-tax-vs-income-tax-whats-...
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/01/adani-to-pa... [2026, August]
[4] https://adanifiles.com.au/
> "Adani uses dodgy tax havens in the Cayman Islands to hide assets and revenue. 13 of the 26 Adani subsidiaries registered in Australia are ultimately owned in the Cayman Islands. "
[5] https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/ten-years-of-adani-sc... [2025]
[6] for legal defamation reasons.
Edit silly typo - through