Tax collectors without borders program welcomed

The peak body for working people has welcomed an announcement a Shorten Labor Government will address the global problem of big business depriving working people of badly-needed services by refusing to pay their fair share of tax.

The Tax Inspectors Without Borders program led by the OECD and the United Nations will help tackle multinational tax avoidance.

The ACTU welcomes Labor’s plan to provide $5 million a year to the program, with a portion being used to assist the Australian Tax Office sending tax experts to developing countries who request our help.

The Morrison Government’s track record shows it is not serious about making sure big business pay its fair share of tax here or overseas.

The Morrison Government has a poor record in supporting developing countries, announcing a $117 million cut from its’ foreign aid spending in this year’s budget.

As noted by ACTU Secretary Sally McManus

“Working people in this country pay their fair share of tax, but the Morrison Government has allowed big business to avoid paying tax both here in Australia, and abroad – this is unacceptable.

“Tax avoidance by multi-nationals is a global problem that requires global solutions. Big business uses complex international networks to avoid paying their fair share of tax here and elsewhere, and that needs a co-ordinated solution that Australia should be part of.”

“Big business needs to pay its fair share of tax and a Shorten Labor Government would make sure they do so – here and overseas.

“These developing nations are vulnerable to big businesses avoiding paying tax, we welcome this programme that will help Australia and other countries get fair tax from big business to fund services for anyo.

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