Kelly O'Dwyer (Higgins, Liberal Party, Minister for Revenue and Financial Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. As the former Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer, and now Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, I do have ministerial responsibility for the Australian Taxation Office. As such, I receive updates from Treasury and from the ATO regarding matters that concern the ATO. When I was made aware of assertions being made by WA ministers regarding dealings with former Treasurer, the Hon. Joe Hockey, regarding the Bell litigation, I sought briefing from the ATO. The ATO advised me that it had a legal obligation and a sound case to intervene in the proceedings in the High Court of Australia to protect the interests of the Commonwealth. I fully supported the ATO position and so advised the Attorney-General of the joint position of myself and the ATO, to which the Attorney-General actually refers to in his detailed statement in the Senate. This position was subsequently vindicated by the High Court in a unanimous decision.

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