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QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS
16-April-2010
After three months, Senator Nick Sherry has finally broken his silence on the Government’s bungled handling of Australians’ tax returns.
On the ABC's PM programme last night, Senator Nick Sherry finally conceded that he was CONSIDERING getting the Inspector General of Taxation to investigate the ATO's computer changeover.
He hasn't said he WOULD order the investigation, but at least he's thinking about it.
The Assistant Treasurer's comments overnight stand in stark contrast to the deafening silence he has maintained throughout this three month saga.
He has some questions to answer.
But first, there's one for the Prime Minister.
Three weeks ago on radio Mr Rudd, you were asked about the delays taxpayers were experiencing as a result of the problems at the Tax Office. At the time you fobbed off an answer, but we'd like to know what action you have taken subsequently to get briefed on the problems taxpayers are experiencing.
Have you been fully briefed on the problems at the ATO and the hardship many Australians are suffering as a result and what action have you taken to fix the problem?
Now some basic questions for the government's tax man - Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry.
Exactly what action has Senator Sherry taken in relation to the delays in the issue of tax returns?
Did he personally investigate the issue when the Tax Office first revealed that there were 700,000 Australian taxpayers who were going to suffer delays as a result of the switch over to the new computer system back in January? If not, why not?
Has he sought and gained regular updates on how the Tax Office was dealing with the backlog; and as the ATO kept moving the goalposts on when it expected to have processed all the outstanding returns, did he seek a please explain?
How many letters has the Assistant Treasurer received highlighting personal problems individual taxpayers are encountering as a result of the computer generated delays; and what action has he taken to rectify the situation?.
Did Senator Sherry inform the Treasurer Wayne Swan and the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd about the problems at the Australian Tax Office and how long it was going to take to fix them?
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