Andrew Leigh

LABOR AGAIN LEADING ON POLICY, WHILE THE COALITION PERFORM BACKFLIPS

Labor is again leading the policy discussion with the Coalition today scrambling to catch up on taxpayer appeal reforms we announced in August.

Last Wednesday, Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert said he was happy with the tax office’s processes in dealing with appeals:

“…Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert is satisfied with the ATO's reforms.” (Australian Financial Review, 24 October 2018)

Today, Mr Robert says:

“There are some things we are going to do in terms of looking at better ways for taxpayers to sit down with the Tax Office.”

Rather than lazily ‘looking’ around, the Coalition should adopt Labor’s considered policy, unveiled two months ago, and broadly welcomed by the small business sector.

A Shorten Labor Government will legislate to establish a new position of Second Commissioner – Appeals within the Tax Office, reporting to the Commissioner of Taxation, to head up a new Appeals area within the Australian Taxation Office.

Labor urges Mr Robert to adopt these practical measures to help all taxpayers.

ENDS

Authorised by Noah Carroll ALP Canberra