George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, it is a very important issue you have raised. It is a very important issue that is not underestimated, I dare say, by anyone in this chamber. The government expects all taxpayers to pay their fair share of tax, and that applies to multinational companies as well as it applies to domestic companies as well as it applies to any taxpayers. The Prime Minister, in fact, addressed the LNG18 conference in Western Australia last week and he told them that we have to ensure that our taxation system encourages investment, entrepreneurship and job creation but, at the same time, continues to ensure that every business, large or small, pays their fair share of tax in accordance with the law.

Senator Whish-Wilson, you should be aware that Australia has some of the strongest tax integrity rules in the world and we are committed to addressing multinational tax avoidance. We have made progress on many of the recommendations of the OECD G20's final report on the base erosion and profit shifting action plan.