Chris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law) Share this | Hansard source

I would again refer the honourable member to my previous answer but say this in addition. I would refer the honourable member to the advice of Treasury officials to Senate estimates. That advice was focused around the issue of tax evasion and the integrity of the tax system. It is fair to say that the driving force behind this budget measure was the concern, brought to the government’s attention by the Treasury and the tax office, of serious tax evasion and that the underlying principle of the costing of the budget measure was that tax evasion would be reduced if not eliminated with the extra integrity provisions put new place.

The honourable member’s colleagues have had the chance at Senate estimates to ask Treasury officials further details about the costings, and whether that was asked or not is a matter for the honourable gentleman opposite. Whatever answers were given by the Treasury are on the public record already.

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