Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

Taxpayers provide their information to the Australian Taxation Office in the knowledge that its confidentiality is protected by law except in very limited specific circumstances. The government opposes this motion. It will open the door to ever-present parliamentary speculation and inquiry into taxpayer affairs. The ATO can penalise taxpayers that do not lodge a return. The government has increased the penalties on large multinationals that do not lodge a return up to $525,000. Parliament enacted legislation prohibiting public disclosure of taxpayer information, recognising that disclosing confidential information would be contrary to public interest and adversely impact ATO operations.