The Australian Greens have done a dirty deal with the Government to sell out a two year community campaign to ensure the big-end of town pays a fair share of tax.

Today in the Senate, the Australian Greens have joined with the Liberal Government to help keep Australia’s richest companies keep their tax dealings secret.

“Two weeks ago the Greens voted with Labor and crossbench Senators to ensure transparency requirements were added to the Government’s multinational tax Bill,” Senator Bilyk said “Today they back flipped and sold out Australian taxpayers”.

“One of the best ways to make sure big companies are doing the right thing is by increasing public scrutiny over how much tax they pay,” Senator Polley said. “The Greens have voted to keep them hidden”.

The deal down today is not in the best interest of Tasmanians.

“Tasmanians should be ashamed of their two Green Senators who voted against the best interests of Tasmania”, Senator Bilyk said “If the Greens had not folded, the Government would have had no choice but to pass this bill with the transparency measure included. They have been conned by the Government”.

“This legislation is exactly what the big-end of town want,” Senator Polley said. “They will be rubbing their hands in glee as the legislation is a weak watered down version.”

While the Government wants to jack up the price of everyday items through an increase to the GST, with the help of the Greens they are letting big business get off scot-free.

“The Greens have given up on making big businesses pay their fair share of tax, just when the Government wants to slug a 15% GST on food and health,” Senator Bilyk said.

“The greens have a leader of that doesn’t understand that he’s done or doesn’t care,” Senator Polley said.

The previous amendments previously made to the bill ended an exemption for private companies with revenue of more than $100 million from having to disclose their tax affairs.

“By changing this threshold to $200 million 80% of private companies that would have had to report under the amendments previously passed are now exempt due to Greens changes,” Senator Bilyk said.
SENATOR CATRYNA BILYK DEPUTY OPPOSITION WHIP IN THE SENATE SENATOR FOR TASMANIA SENATOR HELEN POLLEY SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR AGED CARE SENATOR FOR TASMANIA