NSW Minerals Council boss Nikki Williams said the Hunter would not receive its share of funding from the new minerals resource rent tax until politicians recognised the region’s significance to the mining sector.

The minerals council chief executive spoke at a Singleton Business Chamber function yesterday, and was adamant the region would not get a proportionate share of the $6billion in regional infrastructure funding over the next three years.

‘‘I’m appalled by the radio silence of our federal and state government politicians on this issue,’’ Dr Williams said.

‘‘The Rudd government and now the Gillard government continue to talk about Queensland and Western Australia as resource states and there has been no mention of NSW.

‘‘The coalmining industry alone in NSW is responsible for $55billion in export revenue, which means this state does a huge amount of the heavy lifting.

‘‘It’s time our political representatives stood up and were counted.’’

Dr Williams said ‘‘the lion’s share’’ of NSW coal exports came from the Hunter, and Newcastle was the largest coal export port in the world.

‘‘We’ve got to make sure this tax doesn’t destroy our international competitiveness so people in the industry can continue with confidence.’’

Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon also spoke at the function and found himself ‘‘on a unity ticket’’ with Dr Williams after the government’s backdown from the super profits tax to the rent tax.

‘‘Fears of the Hunter not getting its share of funding are unfounded,’’ Mr Fitzgibbon said.

‘‘I’ve spoken to the Prime Minister and the treasurer and I’ve been assured the infrastructure funding will be evenly distributed.’’

Premier Kristina Keneally made her first public comment on the issue via Twitter, while the minerals council was tweeting live during the briefing.

‘‘NSW already in discussions with NSWMC & will work with the Fed Govt to get best result from the MRRT for our State,’’ the message said.