Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I've been listening very intently to this debate. I was on the economics committees during those inquiries. We've had this debate in this chamber many, many times. I can't remember whether we have had a private senator's bill, Minister, but I would be very surprised if we haven't.

I was just going to add to what Senator Patrick said. Senator Scarr, there is a fundamental difference in the law, as you say, between public and private companies. That's actually why so much tax minimisation occurs through private companies. They're much easier to hide, in terms of shell companies. We have no beneficial ownership register in this country, which is something the Greens have been fighting for at least a decade, and, because they have less onerous restrictions, they do get used a lot more often for aggressive tax minimisation. I'll answer the question Senator Patrick asked of the minister—through you, Madam Temporary Chair: there is no policy rationale for this at all. This is purely about protecting the donors of the LNP.