ACTU – Government needs to urgently act to clean up growing tax mess

11 July 2017

Australian Unions are calling on the Turnbull Government to take urgent steps to plug gaping holes in the national tax framework which are robbing Australia of badly needed funds for schools, hospitals and services.

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) Commissioner revealed there are large loopholes in the Government’s flagship anti-corporate tax avoidance laws that mean companies can continue to easily hide profits overseas.

This was compounded by the ATO ruling the $65.4 billion corporate tax cuts will not only apply to active businesses but also ‘passive companies’, which are common investment structures of the wealthy for the provision of favourable tax arrangements.

Quotes attributable to ACTU President Ged Kearney:

• “The few rules we have that make large multi-national corporations pay tax have loopholes in them large enough to drive a mining truck through and the Government’s $65.4 billion tax cut is going to apply much more broadly than ever intended — it’s a shambles.”
• “When the ATO is raising concerns about the Government’s own policies there is a serious problem. The level of tax policy dysfunction in this country is fast rivalling that of the energy crisis.”
• “It’s clear that current laws to curb tax avoidance are inadequate and ineffective. The Government needs to urgently legislate to clean up the mess of their own ineptitude.”
• “Under this government, high income earners, millionaires and corporations are being given tax cuts while wages shrink and budget debt climbs.”
• “Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s continued failure to address tax avoidance by big business and the wealthy hurts working people and their families.”
• “Australia needs a fairer tax system that ensures the rich pay their fair share and puts an end to the tax deductions and tricky loopholes that deprive the community of badly needed services.”